Sunday's weather in Saudi Arabia: Rain and floods hit 10 regions
The National Center for Meteorology announced details of Sunday's weather in Saudi Arabia, warning of significant weather fluctuations including moderate to heavy thunderstorms, accompanied by flash floods and hail. This weather pattern will affect large parts of 10 major regions in the Kingdom, urging citizens and residents to take precautions, especially in areas prone to flooding and flash flooding.
Fluctuating climate: a prominent feature during seasonal transitions
Historically, the Arabian Peninsula, and Saudi Arabia in particular, experiences sharp weather fluctuations during the transitional periods between seasons. These periods are characterized by the collision of warm and cold air masses, leading to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms. These natural phenomena are part of the normal climatic cycle, contributing to the replenishment of groundwater resources and the filling of dams. They also play a vital role in supporting vegetation and the desert environment, which relies heavily on these seasonal rains for its sustainability.
Rainfall map and weather forecast for Sunday in Saudi Arabia
According to the official statement issued by the Meteorology Department, the chance of moderate to heavy rainfall leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail, remains high in parts of the Asir, Jazan, and Najran regions. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is expected in parts of the Eastern Province, the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, and Al-Baha regions. Temperatures will continue their noticeable decline in the northern parts of the Kingdom, indicating the beginning of the influx of cold air masses.
Expected effects of the weather on daily life
These weather changes have direct local impacts, affecting land, sea, and air transport. Active winds stirring up dust and sand are expected to continue, reducing horizontal visibility in parts of the aforementioned regions, as well as parts of Tabuk, Madinah, and Makkah, particularly their coastal areas. These conditions are prompting relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Traffic Departments, to raise their level of preparedness and issue ongoing guidelines to ensure everyone's safety, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring official weather forecasts.
Maritime navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed the conditions in the Red Sea, noting that surface winds are northwesterly to northerly at speeds ranging from 30 to 55 km/h in the northern and central parts, and from 15 to 35 km/h in the southern part. Wave heights are expected to reach 1.5 to 3 meters in the north and central regions, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the south, resulting in moderate to rough seas in the northern and central parts, and slight to moderate waves in the south.
In the Arabian Gulf, forecasts indicate northwesterly to northerly surface winds at speeds of 16-33 km/h, potentially reaching 45 km/h with the formation of rain-bearing thunderstorms over the northern and central parts. Wave heights are expected to range from half a meter to one and a half meters, and may exceed two meters during thunderstorms, resulting in slight to moderate sea conditions, becoming rough in areas where cloud cover develops.
