Today's weather forecast: Thunderstorms and flash floods in 9 Saudi regions
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for Friday, indicating that the unstable weather conditions affecting most regions of the Kingdom will continue. The center forecasts thunderstorms , which may lead to flash floods in several areas, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility.
Details of areas affected by the rain
The report indicated that heavy rainfall will be concentrated in parts of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Riyadh , where flash floods are expected due to the torrential downpours. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is expected in parts of the Madinah, Qassim, and Hail regions, as well as parts of the Najran region, urging caution while driving on highways.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the maritime conditions, the center indicated that the Red Sea will experience northwesterly to northerly surface winds in its northern and central parts, and southwesterly to southeasterly winds in its southern part, reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms, leading to wave heights of up to 2.5 meters. In the Arabian Gulf , the winds will be northwesterly to northerly, with wave heights also reaching 2.5 meters in the southern part, accompanied by thunderstorms, and the sea state will be rough in these areas.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
The meteorological department issued a special warning for the Eastern Province regarding strong surface winds and reduced horizontal visibility, starting at 9:00 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. The warning includes the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq, where wind speeds are expected to reach approximately 49 km/h.
The importance of following weather forecasts and warnings
These reports are of paramount importance given the Kingdom's geographical nature and its susceptibility to seasonal weather depressions, particularly during the transitional periods between seasons. While these rains play a vital role in replenishing groundwater, they also necessitate a high level of preparedness from relevant authorities such as Civil Defense and municipalities to manage the risks of flash floods.
Experts always advise staying away from valleys and flood channels during these weather conditions, not risking crossing valleys no matter how high the water level is, and adhering to civil defense instructions to ensure the safety of lives and property, as these fluctuations are a natural part of the climate of the Arabian Peninsula, which is characterized by great variation in the amount of rainfall and the locations of its descent.
