Weather in Saudi Arabia: Thunderstorms and flash floods
The National Center for Meteorology, in its daily report, detailed the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia on Monday, forecasting continued moderate to heavy thunderstorms across large parts of the Kingdom. The report explained that these weather fluctuations could lead to flash floods, accompanied by heavy hail, necessitating extreme caution from citizens and residents, especially in open areas and near valleys and watercourses.
Areas affected by weather fluctuations and thunderstorms
The weather forecast indicates that large parts of the Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail regions, as well as Medina and Mecca, will be affected. Meanwhile, surface winds will stir up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility in parts of these areas, with the effects extending to Al-Jawf and Tabuk regions. The formation of thunderstorms with rain is also possible in parts of Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions, particularly their eastern areas, further increasing the extent of the unstable weather affecting the Kingdom.
Climate context and the impact of changing weather patterns in Saudi Arabia
Historically, Saudi Arabia experiences significant seasonal climate changes, with heavy rainfall events increasing at certain times of the year, such as late autumn and winter. This current weather pattern underscores the climate shifts the Arabian Peninsula has witnessed in recent years, with thunderstorms and flash floods becoming more frequent and intense. Government agencies, particularly the General Directorate of Civil Defense, are continuously updating their emergency plans and utilizing advanced early warning technologies to address these extreme weather phenomena and protect lives and property.
Local and regional impacts of heavy rainfall
The effects of this weather system extend beyond mere rainfall; it has significant economic and social dimensions at both the local and regional levels. Locally, this rainfall contributes to replenishing groundwater and improving vegetation cover and natural pastures, which positively impacts the environment, wildlife, and agriculture. However, the risk of flash floods poses significant challenges to traffic and urban infrastructure, requiring high-level coordination between municipalities and civil defense to ensure efficient water drainage and prevent accidents. Regionally, these weather fluctuations reflect the atmospheric instability affecting the entire Arabian Gulf region, necessitating the exchange of climate data to enhance regional preparedness for natural disasters.
Wind patterns and conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the Red Sea, forecasts indicate that surface winds will be northwesterly to northerly at speeds of 15 to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, while shifting to southeasterly to southerly at speeds of 18 to 48 km/h in the southern part. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters in the northern and central parts, reaching up to two meters in the south, resulting in generally calm to moderate sea conditions.
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be westerly to northwesterly, shifting to northeasterly and then northerly by midday, with speeds of 20-40 km/h, potentially exceeding 50 km/h, especially with the development of thunderstorms and rain in the northern part. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching over two meters in the north, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state, becoming rough in the northern regions during thunderstorms.
