Today's weather forecast: Thunderstorms and strong winds in Saudi Arabia

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather for Saudi Arabia, indicating that the unstable weather conditions affecting large parts of the country will continue. The report forecasts a chance of moderate to heavy thunderstorms, accompanied by hail and strong winds that may stir up dust and sand.

Weather details and affected areas

The report indicated that the weather conditions would affect parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions, extending to the capital, Riyadh, the Qassim region, and the Eastern Province. These weather fluctuations are expected to reduce horizontal visibility, with the possibility of dense fog in the highlands and areas affected by the rainfall, necessitating caution while driving on highways.

In contrast, other areas are experiencing surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, which may significantly reduce horizontal visibility, specifically in parts of the Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions.

Climate context and the importance of the report

These weather fluctuations occur during transitional periods in the Kingdom's weather, which are typically characterized by rapid changes in atmospheric systems due to the interaction of different air masses. Reports from the National Center for Meteorology play a vital role in enhancing public safety, as relevant authorities such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol rely on them to issue necessary warnings to citizens and residents.

In such weather conditions, it is advisable to stay away from flood channels and valleys, secure objects that could be blown away, and follow the real-time alerts issued by the automated early warning system to ensure everyone's safety.

State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding the marine conditions, the report detailed the movement of waves and winds as follows:

• The Red Sea: Surface winds are westerly to northwesterly in the northern and central parts, reaching speeds of up to 45 km/h, while in the southern part they are southeasterly to easterly, potentially reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights range from half a meter to two and a half meters, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
• Arabian Gulf: Winds will be southeasterly to southerly, reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h in the northern part, with thunderstorms expected. Winds will be light to moderate in the central and southern parts. Wave heights in the northern part will exceed two meters during periods of rain.