The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather for Thursday, indicating continued weather fluctuations across several regions of Saudi Arabia. The report stated that the chance of thunderstorms accompanied by reduced horizontal visibility remains high, along with the formation of dense fog over parts of the highlands in the Najran, Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions, extending to the highlands of the Makkah region.
In a related context, the center warned of surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, which may lead to near-zero visibility on highways and open areas in parts of the Eastern Province, as well as parts of the Riyadh region, which calls for caution and vigilance on the part of drivers and road users.
The geographical and climatic context of the Kingdom
These weather fluctuations are part of Saudi Arabia's climatic nature, characterized by its diverse topography and its direct impact on weather patterns. While the mountainous regions and southwestern highlands (such as Asir and Al-Baha) experience seasonal rainfall due to topography that promotes cloud condensation, the central and eastern regions, with their open desert landscape, face active winds that stir up dust and sand, especially during the transitional periods between seasons.
Following weather forecasts is of paramount importance in the Kingdom due to its direct impact on daily life, whether regarding air and sea navigation or the safety of roads connecting far-flung regions. Rainfall and flash floods are significant events that contribute to replenishing groundwater, but they also necessitate strict adherence to Civil Defense instructions to stay away from valleys and floodplains.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northeasterly to northwesterly, gradually shifting after noon, with speeds ranging from 20 to 45 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h in the central region. Wave heights are expected to reach 1 to 2.5 meters, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions, particularly in the central area.
In the Arabian Gulf , surface winds are northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 20-40 km/h, with wave heights ranging from one to two meters, and the sea state is moderately rough.
Rain forecast until midweek
Looking ahead to the weather in the coming days, the National Center for Meteorology has warned of favorable conditions for rainfall of varying intensity, beginning tomorrow, Friday, and continuing until next Tuesday. This rainy weather is expected to affect most regions of the Kingdom and will be accompanied by severe weather phenomena, including:
- Active downdrafts that may exceed 60 km/h.
- Hailstones fell.
- A noticeable increase in waves along the coastal areas.
- Flash floods in valleys and ravines.
The center calls on everyone to follow the daily reports and early warnings to ensure public safety and avoid potential risks resulting from these weather fluctuations.
