Weather in Saudi Arabia: Heavy rain and flash floods expected today, Sunday

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions for today, Sunday, revealing widespread weather disturbances including moderate to heavy thunderstorms, which necessitates taking precautions in several regions of the Kingdom.

Weather details and affected areas

According to the weather forecast, there is a chance of thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong winds that may stir up dust and sand, potentially leading to flash floods in valleys and ravines. This weather pattern will affect large parts of the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan . These areas are considered the most vulnerable to heavy rainfall today.

In contrast, parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk regions are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, with continued chances of dense fog formation that may lead to reduced horizontal visibility in the early morning and late night hours in parts of those regions.

Climate context and the importance of warnings

These weather fluctuations are occurring during a transitional period in the Kingdom's weather, as cold and warm air masses intersect, contributing to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms. These warnings are of paramount importance due to the topography of certain regions, such as Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah, where mountains and slopes facilitate rapid flash flooding, posing a danger to motorists and those in valleys.

These cases are usually accompanied by continuous calls from the General Directorate of Civil Defense to stay away from areas where water collects, not to risk crossing valleys while they are flowing, and to adhere to the instructions announced through official media to ensure the safety of lives and property.

State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding maritime navigation, the National Center of Meteorology provided details on wind and wave movements:

• The Red Sea: Northwesterly to northerly surface winds are expected in the northern and central parts, while southwesterly to northwesterly winds are expected in the southern part, with speeds reaching up to 50 km/h and the formation of thunderstorms. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, and may exceed two meters in rainy areas, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
• Arabian Gulf: Northwesterly to northerly winds prevail, reaching speeds of more than 50 km/h with thunderstorms, and the waves rise to more than two and a half meters, which means a rough sea state that requires caution for fishermen and sea-goers.

Citizens and residents are advised to follow the continuous updates of weather reports through official platforms, given the possibility of weather conditions changing and developing in the coming hours.