The National Center for Meteorology issued its detailed daily report on weather conditions for Saturday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating unstable weather conditions affecting large areas of the country. The center warned of thunderstorms of varying intensity, accompanied by reduced horizontal visibility due to fog in parts of 11 administrative regions.
According to the weather forecast, there remains a chance of thunderstorms preceded by strong winds that may stir up dust and sand, with the possibility of hail in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. This rainy weather pattern also extends to parts of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province, as well as parts of the Northern Borders and Al-Jawf regions, necessitating caution while traveling.
Climate context and safety measures
These weather fluctuations are part of the transitional climate the Kingdom is experiencing during this time of year, characterized by the interaction of air masses and the influx of moist air currents from bodies of water. Weather experts confirm that while these rains are essential for irrigating the land and replenishing groundwater, they can also cause flash floods in valleys and ravines, particularly in mountainous areas and on slopes.
In light of these conditions, calls are renewed for citizens and residents to adhere to public safety instructions, stay away from flood channels and valley bottoms, and exercise extreme caution while driving on highways, especially with the expectation of dense fog that may significantly impede horizontal visibility in parts of the aforementioned areas, as well as in parts of the Madinah and Hail regions.
Red Sea situation
- Surface winds: They will be northerly to northwesterly over the northern and central parts at a speed of 15-45 km/h, while they will turn southeasterly and southerly over the southern part at a speed of 12-32 km/h, and gusts may reach 50 km/h with the formation of thunderclouds.
- Wave height: It ranges from one to two meters in the north and center, and from half a meter to one and a half meters in the south, and may exceed two meters in the case of thunderstorms.
- Sea conditions: Generally moderate waves, becoming rough with thunderstorm activity, especially towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Arabian Gulf situation
- Surface winds: They start southeasterly to northeasterly at a speed of 10-20 km/h, and turn in the afternoon to become southeasterly to southerly active at a speed of up to 40 km/h, and may reach 50 km/h with thunderstorms.
- Wave height: It ranges between half a meter and one and a half meters, and reaches more than two meters during storms.
- Sea conditions: Light to moderate waves, turning rough in conjunction with the rainy conditions.
