Saudi Arabia weather: Heavy thunderstorms expected in Riyadh, Jeddah, and other regions of the Kingdom
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has announced forecasts of unstable weather conditions affecting most regions of the Kingdom. The country is preparing for a wave of thunderstorms of varying intensity, beginning on Friday, January 23rd and continuing until Sunday morning, January 25th. This weather pattern coincides with the weekend, necessitating caution during travel and road trips.
The context of the weather situation and its importance
This weather system is particularly significant due to its wide geographical scope, covering the northern, central, eastern, and western regions. Such weather fluctuations are typical of winter in the Kingdom, and these rains, God willing, will contribute to irrigating the soil, supporting vegetation, and replenishing water reserves. However, they may also pose a risk in low-lying areas and floodplains due to the expected heavy rainfall in some governorates, potentially disrupting traffic and daily activities.
Weather details in the northern and western regions
According to the weather report, the weather will start strongly in the northern regions on Friday and Saturday (January 23-24), with moderate to heavy rainfall expected, including:
- Tabuk region: It includes the city of Tabuk, Neom, Tayma, Haql, Al Wajh, Umluj, Al Bada, and Duba.
- Al-Jawf region: The heaviest rainfall is concentrated in Sakaka and Dumat Al-Jandal, while it is light to moderate in Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal.
- Northern borders: Arar, Rafha and Al-Uwaiqilah are experiencing heavy rain, while Tarif is experiencing less intense rain.
- Hail region: It is experiencing heavy rains, including the city and its affiliated governorates such as Al-Ghazala and Baqaa.
In the west, the Medina region an escalation of the weather system, beginning lightly on Friday in Al-Ula and Al-Ais, and intensifying on Saturday to become heavy and encompass Medina, Yanbu, and Khaybar. The system will also extend to the Makkah region on Saturday, bringing light to moderate rain to the holy city, Jeddah, and Rabigh.
Weather forecast for the central and eastern regions
The weather system is moving to directly affect the heart and eastern regions of the Kingdom, with the Qassim region moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, including Buraidah, Unaizah, Ar Rass, and most of the region's governorates. In the Riyadh region , the system will begin on Saturday and continue until Sunday morning, with light to moderate rain expected in the capital, Riyadh, and surrounding governorates such as Al Majmaah, Az Zulfi, and Al Kharj.
In the Eastern Province , the situation will extend throughout the weekend, with heavy rain in Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji and Al-Nairiyah, while it will be light to moderate in Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jubail and Al-Ahsa on Saturday and Sunday.
Rainfall intensity classification and warnings
The National Center for Meteorology clarified the technical parameters of the expected situation to raise awareness:
- Light rain (1-4 mm/hour) accompanied by dust-raising winds reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h.
- Moderate rainfall: (5-9 mm/hour) with winds reaching 60 km/h, and the possibility of hail and flash floods.
- Heavy rainfall: (10-50 mm/hour or more) is considered the most dangerous, as it is accompanied by strong winds, heavy hail, strong flash floods, the possibility of funnel clouds and high sea waves.
Experts advise following current weather forecasts and staying away from valleys and flood channels during this period to ensure everyone's safety.
