30 days until the end of the rainy season in Saudi Arabia, except for the Sarawat Mountains
Dr. Abdullah Al-Musnad, Vice President of the Saudi Society for Weather and Climate, revealed important details regarding the approaching end of the rainy season in Saudi Arabia. He explained that only about 30 days remain until the season concludes, which typically ends at the end of May. This announcement confirms the Kingdom's usual climatic pattern, with the notable exception of the Sarawat Mountains, which possess unique atmospheric characteristics.
Climate history and timing of the end of the rainy season in Saudi Arabia
Historically, Saudi Arabia is known for its arid desert climate across most of its regions, but its vast geographical distribution creates remarkable climatic diversity. The rainy season typically begins in mid-October, with rainfall varying across different areas depending on prevailing weather patterns. A former professor of climatology at Qassim University explained that this rainfall pattern is a consistent and well-established climatic characteristic of the Kingdom over the years. Understanding the timing of the end of the rainy season relies heavily on tracking wind patterns and atmospheric pressure changes that have characterized the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Our ancestors relied on these seasons for agriculture, monitoring rainfall, and determining seasonal grazing times.
Why are the Sarawat Mountains excluded from this timing?
While most regions of the Kingdom are preparing to bid farewell to the rain clouds, a climate expert has excluded the Sarawat Mountains from this general timeframe. He pointed out that their rainfall pattern differs radically from that of the rest of the cities and governorates. This is scientifically and geographically attributed to the fact that the southwestern highlands experience continuous summer rainfall due to local formations and the influence of humid monsoon winds coming from the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Sea, thus extending their season. These high elevations act as windbreaks, forcing the humid air to rise and condense, forming cumulonimbus clouds that moderate the summer heat and support the dense vegetation in those areas.
Environmental and economic importance of changing rainy seasons
Determining the end of the rainy season is of paramount importance and has a significant impact at both the local and regional levels. Locally, this timing plays a crucial role in water resource management, as dams and groundwater reliance depend on rainfall during these months to meet agricultural and pastoral needs throughout the dry summer. This climatic shift also has a direct and positive impact on domestic tourism, with the southwestern highlands becoming a preferred tourist destination for those seeking respite from the summer heat in other regions, thanks to their consistent rainfall and moderate temperatures. Regionally, these changes contribute to the formation of vegetation cover, which in turn helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of dust storms that could otherwise extend into neighboring countries.
Climate change and the future of weather
Dr. Al-Musnad concluded by emphasizing that these indicators fall within the general framework of climate readings, stating, "Weather conditions remain subject first and foremost to God's will, and then to the climate changes that may occur in the coming period." This reminder underscores the importance of following official weather forecasts, especially in light of global climate changes that are now affecting weather patterns worldwide. This may cause slight variations in the usual start and end dates of seasons, necessitating continuous preparedness from relevant authorities to deal with any sudden weather fluctuations.
