Saudi Arabia weather today: Heavy rain, snow, and a red alert in the Eastern Province
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report, forecasting continued severe weather fluctuations affecting most regions of the Kingdom on Thursday. The forecast indicates unstable weather conditions characterized by varying intensities of rainfall, potentially leading to flash floods in some areas, urging citizens and residents to exercise caution.
Weather details and affected areas
According to the center's report, moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong, dust-raising winds. This severe weather is particularly concentrated in parts of the Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Qassim . Meanwhile, the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Hail, and southwestern regions will experience light to moderate rainfall, with the possibility of fog that could reduce horizontal visibility.
Chances of snowfall and cold waves
In a notable weather phenomenon, the report indicated the possibility of snowfall in parts of the Hail and Qassim regions, with this rare opportunity extending to include the northern parts of the Riyadh region. This coincides with a significant drop in temperatures, with cold to very cold weather prevailing in the northwestern regions of the Kingdom.
Climate context and the impact of rainfall patterns
This rainfall is part of the Kingdom's winter season, which is typically characterized by the passage of low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean Sea or the influx of cold air masses. These rains are of significant environmental importance, contributing to soil irrigation and groundwater replenishment, in addition to their role in the growth of spring vegetation in desert areas, promising a bountiful spring season for pastures.
On the other hand, these conditions pose challenges to traffic and road safety, especially in areas experiencing flash flood warnings and poor visibility. These warnings are usually accompanied by calls from the Civil Defense to stay away from valleys and floodplains and to avoid low-lying areas.
Red alert for the eastern region
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology raised its alert level to "red alert" in the Eastern Province, warning of heavy rain starting at 8:00 AM and continuing until 8:00 PM. The alert covers the cities and governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Abqaiq, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, and Hafr Al-Batin. The expected hazards include high winds, reduced visibility, hail, flash floods, high waves, and thunderstorms.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the Red Sea is experiencing northwesterly to northeasterly winds reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h, and potentially 60 km/h in the southern part with thunderstorms, resulting in waves reaching heights of up to 2.5 meters. The Arabian Gulf is experiencing northwesterly to westerly winds exceeding 60 km/h, with waves exceeding 2.5 meters in height due to the presence of rain-bearing thunderstorms, creating rough and unstable sea conditions.
