Tarif records 3 degrees Celsius, and thunderstorms and flash floods are expected in Saudi Arabia
Northern Saudi Arabia experienced a significant drop in temperatures, with the city of Tarif recording the lowest low of just 3 degrees Celsius on Sunday, March 8th. This decrease is part of a cold wave affecting the northern regions, with Qurayyat recording 4 degrees Celsius, while Sakaka and Arar both recorded 7 degrees Celsius. This reflects the geographical nature of these areas, which are typically affected by cold air masses originating from the north.
National Center of Meteorology forecast and weather conditions
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology its weather forecast, indicating the continuation of the unstable weather conditions currently affecting the Kingdom. The center predicted moderate to heavy thunderstorms, which could lead to flash floods in valleys and ravines. These storms will be accompanied by hail and strong winds that may stir up dust and sand, potentially reducing horizontal visibility on highways and in open areas.
The areas affected by this weather system include large parts of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions, extending to the capital, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. The center also indicated that the rain will extend to parts of the Najran region, while light rain is expected in parts of the Madinah and Qassim regions.
Impact of wind and associated weather phenomena
The report warned of the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, which will affect parts of the aforementioned regions, as well as parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and the coastal areas of Tabuk. These weather phenomena are a prominent feature during the transitional periods between seasons, when surface winds become active and the chances of fog formation increase during the night and early morning hours, especially in the highlands and northern regions.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the center indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at speeds ranging from 22 to 43 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h, with thunderstorms and rain expected over the central and southern parts. Wave heights are expected to reach 1 to 2.5 meters, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southeasterly to southerly at speeds of 15-40 km/h, reaching up to 45 km/h with thunderstorms. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, potentially reaching two and a half meters, resulting in sea conditions that are slight to moderate, becoming rough during thunderstorms.
The relevant authorities call on citizens and residents to exercise caution and stay away from flood channels and valleys during rainfall, and to follow the reports issued by the National Center for Meteorology continuously to ensure public safety.
