The Meteorology Department warns of rain in Al-Baha and dust storms in Najran today
Weather alerts from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued today a series of advanced warnings regarding expected weather fluctuations in a number of regions, including the Al-Baha region, which is preparing for thunderstorms, and the Najran region, which is experiencing active winds that are stirring up dust and sand, which calls for taking precautions.
Rain and thunderstorms in the highlands of Al-Baha
In detail, the center warned of moderate to heavy rainfall in the Al-Baha region, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, leading to reduced horizontal visibility. This includes the city of Al-Baha and the governorates of Al-Aqiq, Baljurashi, Al-Qura, Bani Hassan, and Al-Mandaq, as well as surrounding areas. The center indicated that this weather condition is expected to continue until the early evening hours.
These fluctuations are due to the geographical nature of the Al-Baha region, which is one of the most prominent mountainous areas in the Kingdom, part of the Sarawat Mountains. These highlands contribute to cloud formation and frequent rainfall, especially during certain seasons. The Civil Defense Directorate continuously warns citizens and residents of the dangers of flash floods in valleys and ravines, urging them to stay away from waterways and areas of water accumulation during rainfall to ensure their safety.
Dust storms reduce visibility in Najran
Meanwhile, the National Center for Meteorology warned of blowing dust in the Najran region, accompanied by strong winds and a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially dropping to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This weather pattern includes the city of Najran and the governorates of Badr Al-Janoub, Habuna, Khubash, Yadma, and Thar. These conditions are expected to persist until 6:00 PM.
Dust storms and dust-laden winds are a common weather phenomenon in desert regions like Najran, and their frequency increases during seasonal transitions. This phenomenon has direct impacts on daily life, affecting traffic on highways and posing a health challenge for those with asthma and respiratory conditions, who are advised to stay indoors and keep windows tightly closed during these periods.
The importance of following official warnings
These alerts underscore the vital role of the National Center of Meteorology in monitoring weather phenomena and issuing early warnings, which contributes to raising public awareness and enabling relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, to take the necessary precautions to deal with any emergency. Authorities urge all citizens and residents to follow information from official sources, exercise caution, and adhere to issued instructions to ensure their safety.
