Warning of waterspouts and tornadoes in Saudi Arabia
The official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology issued an urgent and direct warning to citizens and residents, alerting them to the possibility of waterspouts and tornadoes in the Red Sea, as well as in some land areas affected by the heavy rainfall currently impacting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The center emphasized via its official X platform that these exceptional weather phenomena require heightened awareness and a swift response to safety instructions, warning against approaching them and urging the public to immediately report any sightings to the relevant authorities.
Climate evolution and the history of extreme weather phenomena
Historically, the Arabian Peninsula has been a region with an arid desert climate. However, recent decades have witnessed significant climate changes leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. Phenomena such as tornadoes and waterspouts were not frequently recorded in the Kingdom's ancient climate records, but with global climate change and the blurring of seasons, these phenomena are now being recorded more often, especially during the transitional periods between summer and winter. Waterspouts typically form when cold air masses meet warm, moist air currents over bodies of water, causing the wind to rotate vertically and draw water upwards. The Red Sea coast has recorded similar events in recent years, coinciding with deep low-pressure systems and heavy rainfall.
Expected effects of waterspouts and tornadoes
The occurrence of waterspouts and tornadoes has significant local and regional implications. Locally, these phenomena pose a direct threat to maritime navigation and vessels in the Red Sea, as well as to infrastructure in coastal areas if they move inland. Regionally, the increasing frequency of these events reflects a shift in weather patterns, necessitating the strengthening of early warning systems. These phenomena are typically accompanied by extremely high downdrafts, reduced horizontal visibility, heavy hail, and high waves, which amplify the anticipated impact on daily life.
Red alert and heavy rains hit the eastern region
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology issued a red alert for large parts of the Eastern Province. The report forecasts heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and flash floods. This severe weather system is expected to begin at 11:00 PM on Tuesday and continue until 11:00 AM on Wednesday, affecting the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, and Ras Tanura. The effects of this rainfall will also extend to Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Udayd, Dhablawan, Al-Ahsa, Abqaiq, Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya, persisting in these areas until 9:00 AM on Wednesday.
Civil Defense guidelines to ensure public safety
In light of these climatic challenges, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged all citizens and residents to exercise extreme caution. It emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to safety guidelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The warnings included the necessity of immediately staying away from areas where water accumulates, valleys, flood channels, and dams, given the imminent danger they pose to lives and property. The relevant authorities also urged everyone to follow continuous weather updates through official channels and the National Center of Meteorology website to ensure safety amidst these ongoing severe weather fluctuations.
