Heavy rains and flash floods in Medina: Weather warnings and details
The National Center for Meteorology issued today an advanced warning regarding the expected weather conditions in the Madinah , warning of severe weather fluctuations including heavy rainfall accompanied by multiple weather phenomena, which calls for caution and vigilance on the part of citizens and residents.
Weather details and affected areas
The center explained in its report that the heavy rainfall will affect several vital governorates, namely Al-Ais, Badr, Al-Rais, and Yanbu . This weather system is expected to begin at 2:00 AM and continue until 7:00 PM. The report indicated that this rainfall will not be typical, but will be accompanied by strong surface winds, potentially leading to reduced horizontal visibility, in addition to hail, flash floods in valleys and ravines, and powerful thunderstorms.
Additional alerts for other governorates
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology expanded its warnings to include moderate to heavy rainfall in Medina and other governorates, including Al-Ula, Khaybar, Al-Hanakiya, Al-Mahd, and Wadi Al-Fara . This weather pattern is also in effect during the same time period (from dawn until evening) and is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, near-zero visibility, and the possibility of flash floods and hail.
Geographical and climatic context of the region
These warnings are particularly important given the geographical nature of the Madinah region, which includes a vast network of large valleys such as Wadi Al-Aqiq and Wadi Qanat. The areas mentioned in the warning, such as the coastal city of Yanbu and the Badr Governorate, are directly affected by low-pressure systems originating from the Red Sea, resulting in higher rainfall intensity and a faster onset of flash floods.
These weather fluctuations come as part of the rainy season in the Kingdom, where these rains play a dual role; on the one hand, they contribute to irrigating farms and increasing groundwater reserves in a region famous for agriculture and palm trees, and on the other hand, they pose a potential danger to those using the highways that connect these governorates, especially the roads leading to tourist areas such as Al-Ula or the industrial areas in Yanbu.
Safety and Civil Defense Guidelines
Based on this data, the center reiterated its call for everyone to adhere to public safety guidelines. This includes staying completely away from flood channels and wadi beds that may suddenly and rapidly fill with water, and avoiding low-lying areas and water accumulations. It also emphasized the importance of following continuous weather updates through official channels and the social media platforms of the center and the Civil Defense, to ensure the safety of lives and property during the period of unstable weather.
