Weather in Saudi Arabia: Rain and floods hit 7 regions
The National Center for Meteorology announced details of weather conditions in Saudi Arabia for Sunday, warning citizens and residents of significant weather fluctuations. These forecasts include thunderstorms accompanied by flash floods and dense fog across large parts of seven major regions in the Kingdom, urging caution while traveling and driving.
Climate patterns and weather development in Saudi Arabia
The Arabian Peninsula, and Saudi Arabia in particular, is characterized by a wide climatic diversity that varies from region to region. Historically, the transitional periods between seasons have witnessed sharp weather fluctuations, as warm and cold air masses collide, leading to the formation of thunderstorms and rain. The southwestern and western highlands are among the most susceptible to these changes due to their geographical nature and the influence of monsoon winds. Monitoring weather patterns in Saudi Arabia during these periods is crucial, as the National Center for Meteorology's climate records show frequent periods of atmospheric instability that bring heavy rainfall, which contributes to replenishing water reserves but also necessitates early preparedness to deal with flash floods.
The impact of weather changes on daily life and the local economy
The importance of these weather forecasts extends far beyond simply knowing temperatures; their impact encompasses multiple vital sectors. Locally, heavy rains and flash floods directly affect transportation, infrastructure, and public services, necessitating the activation of emergency plans by relevant authorities to ensure the safety of lives and property. Furthermore, strong winds that stir up dust and sand have a significant impact on public health, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, and lead to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, sometimes to the point of near-zero visibility, thus affecting land and air navigation. Regionally, these changes reflect broader shifts in climate patterns affecting the Middle East, highlighting the Kingdom's leading role in developing early warning systems and sharing climate data to enhance regional response to natural disasters.
Rainfall map and affected areas on Sunday
Returning to the official report, the meteorological statement indicated that the chance of thunderstorms, ranging from moderate to heavy, remains. These storms may lead to flash floods and will be accompanied by hail and fog in parts of Najran, Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. Simultaneously, the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand will continue, significantly reducing horizontal visibility in parts of these regions, extending to include parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, and Madinah regions.
Maritime navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed the conditions in the Red Sea, where surface winds are northwesterly to northerly at speeds ranging from 20 to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts. In the southern part, winds are northwesterly to southwesterly at speeds of 15-30 km/h, potentially reaching 60 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms and rain. Wave height varies, ranging from one to two meters in the north and central regions, and from half a meter to one and a half meters in the south, potentially exceeding two and a half meters with thunderstorms. Sea conditions are generally slight to moderate, becoming rough in the south.
As for the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southeasterly to easterly at speeds of 16-37 km/h, increasing to over 55 km/h during thunderstorms. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, potentially exceeding two and a half meters in thunderstorm areas, resulting in calm to moderate sea conditions, becoming rough during periods of inclement weather.
