Rainfall in Abha tops the list of regions in the Kingdom with 36 mm
Saudi Arabia experienced significant weather fluctuations over the past 24 hours, with Abha recording the highest rainfall in the Kingdom. According to the daily report issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the amount of rainfall in Wadi Dhahab, Abha Governorate, Asir Region, reached 36.0 mm, reflecting the heavy rainfall that affected eight different regions.
Rainfall details in Abha and Asir regions
was not limited Rainfall in Abha to Wadi Dhahab, but extended to several other locations in the Asir region, which is characterized by its mountainous terrain and temperate climate. The Al-Shifa neighborhood in Sarat Abidah recorded 35.6 mm of rainfall, while Abha Airport received 34.5 mm, and Al-Harjah 33.8 mm. Stations also recorded 27.2 mm in Al Khalaf in Sarat Abidah, 22.0 mm in Al Tamam in Abha, 16.8 mm in both Tabab in Abha and Al-Asran in Sarat Abidah, and 15.4 mm in Tamniyah in Abha.
Monitoring rainfall amounts in other regions of the Kingdom
A report from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, based on data from 74 hydrological and climatological monitoring stations, indicated that rainfall was recorded in the regions of Riyadh, Asir, Tabuk, the Northern Borders, Jazan, Najran, Al-Baha, and Al-Jawf. In the Tabuk region, Al-Zaytah recorded 14.6 mm, Al-Bada'a 10.2 mm, and Al-Aqan 8.3 mm. In Najran, Al-Khalidiyah in Baydama recorded 10.7 mm. In Jazan, Al-Qura'ah in Al-Ardah recorded 6.4 mm, and Al-Ghazi in Al-Aydabi recorded 3.0 mm. Rainfall extended to the Al-Jawf region, with Al-Qurayyat recording 4.5 mm, and the Northern Borders region, with Tarif Airport recording 3.8 mm. The Riyadh region recorded 2.9 mm in Al-Badi' Al-Shamali in Al-Aflaj, and the Al-Baha region recorded 1.2 mm in Al-Bahir.
The climatic and historical context of rainfall in Saudi Arabia
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been a country with an arid desert climate. However, the southwestern highlands, particularly the Asir region, exhibit a notable climatic exception. The abundant rainfall in these areas is due to the high mountainous terrain, which intercepts the humid monsoon winds coming from the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, leading to cloud condensation and heavy orographic rainfall. This climatic pattern is not a recent phenomenon; rather, it is a historical characteristic that has made Abha and its surroundings a major summer resort and an important agricultural destination for decades, as the region relies heavily on these rains to replenish dams and groundwater.
Strategic importance and expected impacts of the rainfall situation
This abundant rainfall is of paramount importance and has multifaceted positive impacts. Locally, it directly contributes to enhancing water security by raising water levels in the region's major dams and replenishing groundwater reserves. It also positively impacts the agricultural sector, as Asir is renowned for its terraced farms that produce a diverse range of rain-fed crops. Regionally, this mild and rainy weather strengthens the region's position as a leading tourist destination, boosting domestic tourism and attracting visitors from neighboring Gulf countries seeking respite from the intense summer heat. These accurate readings from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture underscore the significant development of the Kingdom's climate monitoring infrastructure, which facilitates proactive decision-making for water resource management and flood mitigation.
