Saudi Arabia rains: Mecca records the highest amount, and rainfall in 6 regions
Over the past 24 hours, several regions in Saudi Arabia experienced fluctuating weather conditions and varying amounts of rainfall, affecting six major administrative regions. The daily report issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture on rainfall monitoring revealed that 37 hydrological and climatological monitoring stations recorded this rainy weather, which affected Riyadh, Mecca, Qassim, the Eastern Province, Asir, and Al-Baha.
Mecca leads in rainfall amounts
Weather monitoring data showed that the Makkah region recorded the highest rainfall rates, with the Al-Quray' Bani Malik center in Maysan Governorate recording 13.4 mm, the highest amount in the Kingdom during this period. In the same region, Al-Uwaylah in Ranyah recorded 0.9 mm, while Ranyah and Haddad Bani Malik in Taif each recorded 0.6 mm, reflecting the variation in rainfall intensity even within the same region depending on the topography.
Rainfall details in the southern and western regions
In the southern highlands, the Al-Baha region experienced relatively heavy rainfall, with Al-Baher recording 12.6 mm, followed by Shabraqah with 1.2 mm, Bani Hassan with 1.0 mm, and Bal-Khazmar in Al-Mandaq with 0.7 mm. In the Asir region, Afraa in Balqarn recorded 8.4 mm, Badwa Dam in Al-Namas 6.2 mm, King Faisal Road in Al-Namas 4.8 mm, while Al-Namas city recorded 3.0 mm and Al-Asrah 2.5 mm.
Rainfall conditions in the central and eastern regions
Rainfall was not limited to the highlands but extended to the central and eastern regions. The report indicated that the Eastern Province recorded 3.6 mm at the Hafr al-Batin Air Base, 3.2 mm at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran, 2.0 mm in Salwa, and 1.4 mm at Jubail Air Base. In the Qassim region, Al-Bukayriyah (Al-Fuwayliq) recorded 2.8 mm, Qubbah in Al-Asyah 1.0 mm, and Al-Tarfiyah Al-Gharbiyah in An-Nabhaniah 0.7 mm.
As for the capital, Riyadh, it witnessed light and scattered rainfall, with King Abdullah neighborhood recording 2.0 mm, Al-Zulfi 1.8 mm, Al-Andalus neighborhood in Al-Ghat 1.4 mm, and the Aviation Academy 1.0 mm.
The importance of water and environmental monitoring
These daily reports are of paramount importance in the context of water resource management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry relies on a vast network of advanced meteorological and hydrological stations to accurately measure rainfall, which contributes to supporting water studies, measuring groundwater levels, and effectively managing dams to maximize the use of rainwater in agriculture and replenishing aquifers, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives of achieving water security and environmental sustainability.
Impact of monsoon rains
These rains are part of the Kingdom's typical climatic conditions, which include rainy seasons that contribute to moderating the weather and promoting the growth of natural vegetation, especially in desert and grazing areas. However, relevant authorities consistently emphasize the need for caution while driving in rainy weather and advise staying away from wadis and floodplains, given the topography in some areas, which can cause water to flow rapidly, particularly in mountainous regions such as Asir, Al-Baha, and the highlands of Makkah.
