Saudi Arabia weather: Heavy rains and floods in the second winter wave
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced the arrival of a new weather system, the "second winter wave" of the season, raising the alert level and warning of widespread and intense weather fluctuations. This weather system combines heavy thunderstorms with strong, dust-raising winds, creating an unstable weather pattern whose effects will continue until next Thursday, targeting large areas including the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, and Medina.
Weather details and affected areas
The official spokesperson for the center, Hussein Al-Qahtani, confirmed that the Kingdom is currently experiencing the second wave of weather fluctuations for December, which marks the meteorological beginning of winter. The intensity of this weather system varies from moderate to heavy, covering most regions of the Kingdom except for the Najran region. Weather maps indicate that the northern regions will receive the largest share of rainfall, with the heavy rain belt extending through the coastal governorates of Al-Wajh and Umluj, reaching the Madinah region, which will be directly affected by these disturbances.
Accompanying phenomena: downdrafts and hail
Climate models have detected the possibility of downdrafts reaching speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour, which could stir up dust and sand and significantly reduce horizontal visibility on highways and open areas. These winds will be accompanied by heavy hail and a relative drop in temperatures, a phenomenon that began yesterday and is expected to intensify gradually over the coming days.
Climate context: December is a "rainy" month
In a detailed climatic description of this period, Al-Qahtani explained that the current month of December is classified as the first meteorological month of winter and is expected to be exceptionally rainy, recording rainfall rates that approach or even exceed the normal average at certain times. This rainfall activity is usually attributed to the deepening of low-pressure systems coming from the Mediterranean Sea and their convergence with tropical moisture, creating the atmospheric instability characteristic of winter in the Arabian Peninsula.
Expected effects and temperature drops
The center predicted that temperatures would begin a noticeable drop by mid- to late-month, particularly during the evening and night hours. Cold air masses will first sweep across the northern regions, then gradually move towards the eastern and central regions, including the capital, Riyadh, eventually reaching the southern interior. Meanwhile, the western and southern coasts of the Kingdom will maintain relatively moderate temperatures throughout the cold season.
Safety warnings and the importance of compliance
The center concluded its report by emphasizing the need for extreme caution and urging people to stay away from flood channels and wadi beds, which may experience strong flash floods due to heavy rainfall. These warnings are particularly important given the topography of some areas, which can contribute to the formation of rapidly spreading flash floods. The center commended the public's awareness in monitoring weather updates and adhering to safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities and civil defense during this critical period to ensure the safety of lives and property.
