Thursday's weather in Saudi Arabia: Thunderstorms and flash floods
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather report for Thursday in Saudi Arabia, warning of continued significant weather fluctuations. The center forecasts moderate to heavy thunderstorms, which may lead to flash floods in several valleys and ravines. This weather pattern will be accompanied by hail and active surface winds that will stir up dust and sand, urging citizens and residents to take precautions.
Rainfall map and affected areas
Forecasts indicate that the weather system will affect large parts of the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, and Northern Borders regions. Meanwhile, moderate rainfall is expected in parts of the Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions. Rain is also possible in the northern parts of the Eastern Province, with a high probability of dense fog forming during the early morning and night hours, leading to reduced horizontal visibility.
Thursday's weather reflects climate changes in the Arabian Peninsula
Thursday's weather details underscore a growing pattern of climate change in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula in general over recent years. Historically, the region has been characterized by a dry desert climate with infrequent and seasonal rainfall. However, recent climate records show a marked increase in heavy rainfall events and flash floods, particularly during seasonal transitions. These changes are partly attributed to global climate shifts, which are pushing moist air masses toward the region, altering the usual rainfall patterns and increasing annual precipitation in areas previously known for their extreme aridity.
Maritime navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be southeasterly to easterly at speeds ranging from 10 to 30 km/h in the northern part. In the central and southern parts, winds will be southeasterly to southerly at speeds of 20-45 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters in the north, and from one to two meters in the central and southern parts, reaching two and a half meters near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This will result in calm to moderate sea conditions, becoming rough in the south.
In the Arabian Gulf, northwesterly to westerly winds will blow at speeds of 20-40 km/h, reaching up to 45 km/h in the central and southern parts. Wave heights will range from one to two and a half meters, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
Expected dimensions and effects of the current weather situation
These weather developments are of great importance and have multifaceted impacts. Locally, these heavy rains contribute to bolstering the Kingdom's strategic water reserves by replenishing dams and groundwater, which positively impacts the agricultural sector and vegetation cover. However, the resulting flash floods necessitate a mobilization of relevant authorities to ensure the safety of infrastructure and secure road networks. Regionally, this weather pattern is linked to atmospheric pressure systems affecting neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, requiring ongoing coordination to ensure the safety of air and maritime navigation in the region.
Advanced warnings for rain in the Eastern Province
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology issued special alerts regarding light to moderate rainfall in parts of the Eastern Province. This weather phenomenon is expected to begin at 1:00 PM and continue until 11:00 PM. The alert specifically includes the governorates of Hafr Al-Batin and Qaryat Al-Ulya. The rain is expected to be accompanied by strong winds that may reduce horizontal visibility, as well as the possibility of thunderstorms, requiring drivers on highways to exercise extreme caution.
