Meteorology: Heavy rains to continue in the Kingdom until Tuesday
The National Center for Meteorology announced its forecast for continued heavy rainfall in Saudi Arabia, with the latest reports indicating that varying intensities of rain will persist across most regions of the country until next Tuesday. The center issued strong warnings about the potential for flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas, as the country experiences a period of unstable weather, urging everyone to take maximum precautions to ensure public safety.
In this context, the official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, explained that the current rainy weather system is widespread, affecting large areas, most notably Riyadh, Asir, Jazan, Najran, and Al-Baha, with its effects extending to the highlands of the Makkah region. Al-Qahtani indicated that forecasts predict moderate to heavy rainfall in some areas, which may be accompanied by strong surface winds that could stir up dust, as well as flash floods in valleys and ravines.
Recorded rainfall amounts, with the Asir region leading the way
Al-Qahtani revealed a significant variation in rainfall amounts recorded over the past 24 hours. The Asir region, specifically Abha province, topped the list with the highest rainfall total of 65.6 mm, reflecting the intensity and strength of the rain system in the southern region. He also noted that the Riyadh region came in second, with the King Khalid Reserve recording 42.2 mm, while the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province, specifically the Al-Qadisiyah neighborhood, recorded 20.6 mm.
Climate patterns and seasons of heavy rainfall in the Kingdom
Historically, large parts of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the southwestern highlands, experience periodic rainy seasons linked to transitional weather patterns. With the global climate changes of the last decade, these weather events have become more frequent and widespread, extending to areas previously known for their relative aridity, such as the central and eastern regions of the country. This climate shift has made the role of the National Center for Meteorology crucial in monitoring and tracking these changes and providing early warnings to protect lives and property. These heavy rains in the Kingdom reflect a significant shift in the regional rainfall pattern.
Expected effects of the weather on various sectors
This rainfall pattern has far-reaching effects at both the local and regional levels. On the positive side, these rains contribute to replenishing the strategic water reserves of dams, support the agricultural sector, and help vegetation and natural pastures flourish, thus positively impacting the environment and combating desertification. On the other hand, the heavy rainfall poses significant challenges to infrastructure, slowing traffic flow and causing heavy congestion in major cities, which necessitates the mobilization of relevant authorities such as traffic police and civil defense to address any potential emergencies and ensure the safe continuation of daily life.
Important guidelines to ensure public safety
Given these weather conditions, the National Center of Meteorology urged all citizens and residents to closely monitor its periodic reports issued through its official channels. The monitoring system and relevant authorities emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to instructions and guidelines, and exercising caution, especially for those using highways and residents of low-lying areas expected to be directly affected by the rainfall in the coming days. It is strongly advised to avoid approaching valleys and water bodies, and to stay away from open areas during thunderstorms.
