Thunderstorms, flash floods, and hail are expected today in Saudi Arabia
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report forecasting the possibility of thunderstorms and flash floods accompanied by hail across large parts of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. These weather fluctuations are due to the region being affected by seasonal low-pressure systems that lead to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and rain. Citizens and residents in the affected areas are advised to exercise caution and stay away from valleys and wadis to ensure their safety.
Map showing the distribution of thunderstorms and expected flash floods in the Kingdom today
According to the report issued by the National Center for Meteorology, the chance of moderate to heavy thunderstorms remains, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will reduce horizontal visibility. This weather pattern includes parts of the Riyadh, Eastern, and Najran regions. Meanwhile, light rain is expected in parts of the Qassim, Hail, and Tabuk regions.
Dust-laden winds will continue to affect parts of these regions, extending their impact to areas within Medina and Mecca, potentially reducing horizontal visibility on highways. Simultaneously, there is a chance of thunderstorms and rain, accompanied by active winds, over parts of the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom.
Seasonal climate changes in the Arabian Peninsula
Historically, Saudi Arabia experiences sharp weather fluctuations during the transitional periods between seasons. These periods are characterized by the activity of the Red Sea-Sudan thermal lows, which bring warm, humid air masses that meet cold air masses from the north. This convergence generates severe atmospheric instability, resulting in massive cumulonimbus clouds that produce heavy rainfall over short periods. Due to the dry and rocky nature of the soil in many parts of the Kingdom, its capacity to absorb water is limited, leading to the rapid formation of flash floods in the valleys.
Expected impacts and Civil Defense safety guidelines
These weather conditions directly impact daily life and traffic, particularly in open areas and on roads connecting cities. Locally, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged everyone to exercise caution, stay away from valleys and flood channels, and avoid crossing them under any circumstances. These conditions also affect the agricultural sector; while rainfall contributes to replenishing groundwater, heavy hail and strong downdrafts can damage crops and open property.
Maritime navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
As for the sea conditions, the meteorological report indicated that the surface winds on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at a speed ranging between 15 and 34 km/h, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one and a half meters, resulting in a light to moderate sea state.
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly in the northern part, and northeasterly to southeasterly in the central and southern parts, with speeds ranging from 15 to 32 km/h, reaching up to 55 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms and rain. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching over two meters during thunderstorms, resulting in sea conditions that are slight to moderate, becoming rough at times.
