The National Center for Meteorology issued an important and urgent statement, revealing weather forecasts indicating that the Kingdom will be affected by a strong rain system ranging from moderate to heavy. This weather system is expected to begin Friday evening and continue until Sunday morning, necessitating caution and vigilance.
Weather details and affected areas
Based on the outputs of the advanced Saudi numerical model, forecasts indicate that the geographical scope of the rainfall will be broad and encompass several vital regions. The affected areas include Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders , with the effects of thunderstorms extending to the Madinah and Makkah , reaching as far as Hail, Al-Qassim, and the northern parts of the Eastern Province .
The importance of the Saudi numerical model and the accuracy of its predictions
The adoption of the "Saudi Numerical Model" represents a significant leap forward in the accuracy of weather forecasting in the Kingdom. These advanced computer models accurately simulate the atmosphere, taking into account the Kingdom's diverse topography. This helps determine expected rainfall amounts and locations with greater precision compared to general global models. These efforts are part of the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing public safety and mitigating the risks associated with sudden weather fluctuations.
Expected impacts and field readiness
The National Center of Meteorology predicted that these weather fluctuations would continue for several consecutive days, potentially leading to flash floods in valleys and streams in the aforementioned areas, particularly in sloping and mountainous regions. This necessitates raising the level of preparedness to its highest degree by relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and municipalities, to manage potential water accumulations and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
This situation is of particular importance given that it includes densely populated areas and holy sites such as Mecca and Medina, which requires high-level coordination to ensure the safety of visitors, pilgrims, and residents.
Safety warnings and guidelines
The relevant authorities confirmed that monitoring and follow-up teams are continuing to monitor the weather situation "moment by moment," while adhering to the issuance of timely alerts and warnings through the automated early warning system. The National Center of Meteorology stressed the importance of citizens and residents following the following safety guidelines:
- Stay away from flood channels and valleys and do not risk crossing them.
- Avoid low-lying areas and water pools.
- Follow official weather reports and ignore rumors.
- Drive with extreme caution during rainfall and low horizontal visibility.
