Saudi Arabia weather today: Thunderstorms and flash floods in Mecca and Riyadh
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather for Monday, indicating that the unstable weather conditions affecting large areas of Saudi Arabia will continue. The center forecasts moderate to heavy thunderstorms, which may lead to flash floods in valleys and ravines, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility.
Areas affected by the rainy weather
The forecast covers multiple regions, with the strongest weather conditions concentrated over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and the Eastern Province . Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is expected in parts of Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and Najran, with the possibility of fog forming during the night and early morning hours in the highlands and parts of these regions.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These weather fluctuations are part of a typical seasonal pattern in the Kingdom during the transitional periods between seasons, when the region is affected by low-pressure systems that contribute to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms. This particular weather pattern is of special significance due to its impact on densely populated areas such as Riyadh and Mecca, as well as the southern mountainous regions, which are characterized by rugged terrain that increases the speed of flash floods.
These weather conditions are usually accompanied by continuous calls from concerned authorities, such as the Civil Defense, to exercise caution and stay away from flood channels and valley bottoms, especially in open areas and highways that may experience a decrease in visibility due to dust storms or heavy rainfall.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the maritime situation, the report provided the following details:
- Red Sea: Surface winds are noticeably active, blowing from the northwest to the north in the northern and central parts, and from the southwest to the northwest in the southern part, with speeds ranging from 15 to 40 km/h, potentially exceeding 60 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms. Wave heights range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching over two and a half meters in the south, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state, becoming rough in the south.
- Arabian Gulf: Winds will be northeasterly to easterly at 12-35 km/h, reaching speeds of over 60 km/h during thunderstorms. Wave height will range between half a meter and one and a half meters, potentially exceeding two and a half meters with thunderstorms. Sea conditions will be slight to moderate, becoming rough during periods of rain.
