Saudi Arabia weather today: Thunderstorms and flash floods in these areas

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The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has revealed details of the expected weather conditions for today, Friday, indicating that the Kingdom is experiencing unstable weather conditions affecting large areas of the country. The center issued important warnings to citizens and residents, urging them to exercise caution due to the rapidly changing weather patterns, which include heavy rain and strong winds.

Details of the rainfall situation and affected areas

According to the official statement issued by the Meteorology Department, the forecast indicates moderate to heavy thunderstorms. This weather system will not only bring rain but will also be accompanied by hail and strong downdrafts that could lead to flash floods in valleys and ravines. The affected areas include:

Medina region.
Al-Qassim region.
Hail region.
Tabuk region.
Al-Jawf region.
Northern Border Region.
The northern parts of the Eastern Province.

The report also indicated the possibility of light rain in parts of the highlands in the western and southwestern regions of the Kingdom, which calls for caution while driving on mountain roads.

Surface winds and their effect on visibility

In addition to the rain, the center warned of strong surface winds stirring up dust and sand, which could lead to near-zero horizontal visibility. This effect will impact the aforementioned areas, as well as extending to parts of the Riyadh region , requiring drivers on highways and open roads to exercise extreme caution.

Context of the weather situation and the importance of warnings

These weather fluctuations are part of the seasonal changes the Kingdom experiences, as the region is affected by the passage of low-pressure systems that contribute to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms. These reports are of paramount importance locally to ensure the safety of lives and property, with relevant authorities such as the Civil Defense working in coordination with the Meteorology Department to issue necessary directives, such as staying away from wadis (dry riverbeds) and avoiding low-lying areas during rainfall.

State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding maritime navigation, the center provided details on wave and wind movement in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf:

Red Sea

Winds: Southwesterly to northwesterly in the north (15-40 km/h, reaching 60 km/h with thunderstorms), and southeasterly to southwesterly in the center and south.
Wave height: It ranges from half a meter to one and a half meters, and may exceed two and a half meters in the northern part with the formation of thunderclouds.
Sea state: Light to moderate waves, turning rough in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

Arabian Gulf

Winds: Northerly to northwesterly turning southeasterly (10-30 km/h reaching 50 km/h in the north).
Wave height: from half a meter to one meter, reaching more than two and a half meters with thunderstorms in the north.
Sea conditions: Light to moderate waves, becoming choppy during thunderstorms.