The National Center for Meteorology issued weather report for Saudi Arabia, indicating continued unstable weather conditions characterized by rainfall and strong surface winds. The report forecasts moderate to heavy thunderstorms across wide areas of the Kingdom, accompanied by hail and gusty winds, urging citizens and residents to take precautions.
Weather details and affected areas
According to weather forecasts, rainfall today, Monday, is concentrated in parts of Najran, Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province . The forecast also extends to parts of the Tabuk region, where partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected with a chance of thunderstorms and rain.
In a related context, the report warned of the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, which could reduce horizontal visibility in parts of the aforementioned regions, as well as parts of Al-Jawf, Hail, and Al-Qassim. The center also cautioned about the possibility of fog formation during the night and early morning hours in the western and southwestern highlands, requiring careful driving on mountain roads.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
This weather pattern is part of the seasonal fluctuations the Kingdom experiences, a period typically characterized by the activity of low-pressure systems that bring seasonal rainfall. This rain is particularly important for replenishing groundwater and contributing to vegetation cover, but it can also pose a risk when valleys and flash floods occur, especially in the low-lying areas and mountainous regions of Asir and Jazan.
In such circumstances, the relevant authorities always stress the need to follow official weather bulletins and to stay away from flood channels and valley bottoms, given the geographical nature of the Kingdom, which may lead to the formation of flash floods that travel at extremely high speeds in some desert and mountainous areas.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the report explained that the surface wind movement on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at a speed ranging between 21-42 km/h, with a wave height of one to two meters, and the sea state will be light to moderate waves.
In the Arabian Gulf , forecasts indicate northwesterly to northerly surface winds at speeds of 22-40 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h with the formation of rain-bearing thunderstorms over the central region. Wave heights are expected to range from one to two meters, and may reach two and a half meters in areas affected by thunderstorms, resulting in moderate to occasionally rough sea conditions.
