Rainfall amounts in Saudi Arabia: Asir leads, and the Eastern Province records 20.6 mm
National Center for Meteorology report on rainfall conditions
Various regions of Saudi Arabia experienced significant weather fluctuations and widespread rainfall. The National Center for Meteorology issued its official report documenting the rainfall amounts across the Kingdom during the past 24 hours, specifically from Saturday morning to Sunday morning. These statistics are part of the Center's ongoing efforts in accurate climate monitoring through its network of automated stations deployed throughout the country.
Asir leads the rainy season
According to official data, the Asir region topped the list of highest rainfall amounts in the Kingdom, with Abha Airport recording 65.6 mm, the highest amount among the 13 operating stations in the region. This heavy rainfall reflects the unique geographical and climatic characteristics of the southwestern regions of the Kingdom, which typically receive higher rainfall rates than other areas.
Riyadh and the Eastern Province are at the heart of the weather situation
In second place was the Riyadh region, which recorded 42.2 mm at the King Khalid Reserve station, indicating the widespread nature of the rainfall event, which extended to the central region of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Province, the Dammam station in the Al-Qadisiyah district recorded a significant amount of rainfall, reaching 20.6 mm. This necessitates close monitoring of traffic flow and the activation of emergency traffic plans to ensure everyone's safety.
Rainfall amounts varied in other regions
Rainfall amounts varied across the remaining regions, with the Al-Darb station in Jazan recording 11.2 mm, the Khubash station in Najran recording 1.8 mm, and the Al-Baher station in the Al-Baha region recording 0.8 mm. Rainfall in the Makkah and Qassim regions was minimal, not exceeding 0.2 mm at the Ranyah and Al-Nabhaniah stations, respectively.
The climatic and historical context of rainfall in the Kingdom
Historically, Saudi Arabia falls within the arid and semi-arid geographical zone, but it experiences periodic rainy seasons known locally as "Al-Wasam," including winter and spring rains. In recent years, a noticeable shift in climatic patterns has been observed, with rainfall rates increasing significantly in areas not accustomed to such abundance. This has led to striking environmental phenomena, such as the greening of many desert areas, reflecting climatic changes that are being carefully studied by relevant authorities to accurately document these weather shifts.
The importance and expected impact of the rainfall situation
Locally, these rains are of paramount importance; they directly contribute to replenishing groundwater reserves, raising dam levels, and supporting the agricultural sector, which is a cornerstone of food security. Furthermore, this mild and rainy weather boosts domestic tourism, particularly in mountainous and rural areas.
On the other hand, the National Center for Meteorology's reports are crucial in enhancing the preparedness of relevant authorities to deal with any emergencies and raising public awareness. Regionally and internationally, this accurate data contributes to enriching global climate databases, which helps in a deeper understanding of the climate changes the planet is experiencing, and aligns steadily with the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 in protecting and sustaining the environment.
