Saudi Arabia weather: Red alert issued for heavy rains hitting 3 regions
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an urgent report, including a red alert, warning of heavy rainfall expected on Thursday across large parts of three major regions in the south and southwest of the Kingdom. This warning comes as part of ongoing monitoring of weather conditions and fluctuations affecting the country. This exceptional weather phenomenon is expected to begin at noon and continue until 9:00 PM in some areas, while its effects will extend until 11:00 PM in others, necessitating the utmost caution from citizens and residents.
Details of areas covered by the red alert for heavy rain
The report clarified that the areas affected by this advanced warning include Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan. In the Al-Baha region, rainfall is concentrated in Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Al-Baha, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan. In the Asir region, the affected areas include Al-Amwah, Al-Arin, Bisha, Tathlith, Tarib, Al-Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Al-Harjah, Al-Rabou'ah, Al-Farshah, Sarat Abidah, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Abha, Ahad Rafidah, and Khamis Mushait. In the Jazan region, the governorates of Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub are affected. These rains are accompanied by high-speed winds leading to near-zero horizontal visibility, in addition to hail, flash floods, and severe thunderstorms.
The climatic and topographical context of rainfall in the south of the Kingdom
Historically, the southern and southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Sarawat Mountains, are known for their heavy rainfall due to the complex mountainous terrain, which plays a crucial role in the formation of cumulonimbus clouds. When moist winds from the Red Sea collide with the mountains, they rise and cool, causing water vapor to condense and produce heavy rainfall. These weather patterns are not new to the region, but with global climate change, the frequency and intensity of these events have become more pronounced, highlighting the importance of the National Center of Meteorology issuing proactive warnings to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Expected local and regional impacts and the importance of response
This weather event is of great importance and has multifaceted impacts at both the local and regional levels. In the short term, these severe weather conditions necessitate a mobilization of relevant authorities, such as civil defense and traffic departments, to manage water accumulation and flash floods in valleys and ravines. This could disrupt daily transportation and potentially lead to the suspension of in-person classes in some governorates to ensure student safety. In the long term, these rains play a vital role in replenishing groundwater and raising dam levels, which positively impacts the agricultural sector, on which these areas heavily depend. They also contribute to the flourishing of vegetation, enhancing the region's status as a prominent ecotourism destination.
The weather changes will extend to other regions
The impact of the low-pressure system is not limited to the three aforementioned regions. The weather report also indicated continued moderate to heavy thunderstorms leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will stir up dust and sand, extending to the southern parts of the Makkah highlands. Furthermore, parts of the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and the Northern Borders region are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, reflecting the widespread nature of the weather system and its broad impact across the Kingdom on Thursday.
