Red alert: Heavy rains hit 3 Saudi regions today, Friday
The National Center for Meteorology issued an advanced warning on Friday, which included a "red alert" indicating expectations of heavy rainfall over large parts of three major regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, amid warnings of severe weather fluctuations that may affect horizontal visibility and traffic.
Details of the rainfall situation and its timings
The weather report explained that the weather conditions will begin at ten o'clock in the morning and continue until eight o'clock in the evening, as the areas covered by the warning are expected to witness heavy rainfall accompanied by high-speed winds, almost complete lack of horizontal visibility, in addition to hail and flash floods, with a high probability of thunderstorms.
The center identified the areas affected by this situation as follows:
- Makkah Region: Includes Adham, Bani Yazid, Jadhma, Maysan, Yalamlam, and Taif.
- Asir region: includes Al Namas, Balqarn, and Tanomah.
- Al-Baha region: includes Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha city, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
Seasonal weather fluctuations and the nature of the terrain
These warnings come in the context of the climatic conditions the Kingdom is experiencing during seasonal transitions, as the mountainous highlands, particularly the Sarawat Mountains extending across Taif, Al-Baha, and Asir, are affected by the formation of cumulonimbus clouds that bring thunderstorms and rain. The geographical nature of these areas plays a significant role in increasing the intensity of rainfall, as the mountains act as windbreaks, trapping moist winds and leading to cloud condensation and heavy rainfall that can cause flash floods in valleys and streams.
This type of weather event is part of the normal climate system in these areas, but the issuance of a "red alert" means that the weather event is characterized by severity and strength that requires taking the utmost precautions, given the possibility of its direct impact on infrastructure and the safety of road users.
Active winds and dust in the eastern region
In a related development, the National Center of Meteorology's warnings were not limited to the mountainous and western regions, but also included the eastern region. The center cautioned about strong surface winds and dust storms, which would reduce horizontal visibility.
This phenomenon will begin in the Eastern Province at 9:00 AM and continue until 6:00 PM, affecting the cities and governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq. Wind speeds are expected to reach between 40 and 49 kilometers per hour.
Safety guidelines and how to deal with rainy conditions
Given the severity of the expected weather conditions and their coinciding with the weekend, the relevant authorities, primarily the Civil Defense, urge citizens and residents to adhere to safety instructions. It is strongly advised to stay away from floodplains, valleys, and low-lying areas during heavy rainfall, and to avoid going out except in cases of extreme necessity in areas under red alert.
Drivers in the Eastern Province are also advised to exercise caution due to reduced visibility caused by dust, and to maintain safe distances between vehicles to avoid traffic accidents. These ongoing warnings underscore the commitment of the relevant authorities to the safety of lives and property through proactive monitoring of weather conditions and dissemination of information via all media outlets.
