Saudi Arabia weather forecast for today, Saturday: Heavy rain, flash floods, and fog

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions on Saturday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, revealing significant weather fluctuations including thunderstorms of varying intensity, ranging from moderate to heavy, accompanied by multiple weather phenomena that require caution and vigilance.

According to the weather forecast, thunderstorms are expected to continue, potentially reaching heavy levels and causing flash floods in valleys and ravines. This rainy weather will be accompanied by hail and strong winds that will stir up dust and sand, reducing visibility on highways and in open areas.

Areas affected by the rainy weather

The warnings covered large areas of the Kingdom, with heavy rainfall concentrated in parts of the Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, extending to the Eastern Province and the northern parts of the Riyadh region. In contrast, light to moderate rain is expected in parts of the Makkah and Al-Baha regions.

Fog and reduced visibility

The center also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the night and early morning hours, which will negatively affect horizontal visibility. This phenomenon is expected to affect parts of the regions experiencing rainfall, as well as parts of the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution while driving.

Weather conditions in the Kingdom

These weather fluctuations are part of the climatic patterns the Kingdom experiences during the winter and spring transition seasons. The region is affected by the passage of low-pressure systems coming from the north and northwest, which interact with humid air masses, resulting in widespread atmospheric instability. These conditions are of particular importance due to their direct impact on daily life, traffic, and agricultural and pastoral activities.

The importance of warnings and safety measures

Following weather reports is vital to ensuring the safety of lives and property. Authorities, such as Civil Defense, typically advise citizens and residents to stay away from floodplains and valleys during rainfall, avoid low-lying areas where water may accumulate, and secure loose objects in case of strong winds.

State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding the maritime situation, the report provided the following details:

• The Red Sea: Surface winds ranging from 20-40 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h in the northern, central, and southern parts, in varying directions, with the formation of thunderclouds and rain. Wave heights range from one to two meters, and may reach two and a half meters, resulting in a moderate to rough sea state.
• Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly at speeds of up to 50 km/h with thunderstorms over the northern part, and the waves will rise to two and a half meters, which means a rough sea state that requires caution for seafarers and fishermen.