Today's weather forecast: Thunderstorms and weather alerts in Saudi Arabia

The National Center for Meteorology, in its daily report, revealed details of weather conditions for Tuesday, indicating continued chances of scattered thunderstorms ranging from light to moderate. The report explained that these conditions will be accompanied by hail and active winds affecting large parts of the Kingdom, particularly the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Najran, Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, with the possibility of fog formation that could reduce horizontal visibility in the early morning hours.

The importance of weather monitoring and early warning

The reports of the National Center for Meteorology are of paramount importance given the climate changes the region is experiencing. The center relies on a sophisticated technological system to monitor weather variations with high accuracy. This focus stems from the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing public safety and protecting lives and property from the consequences of sudden weather fluctuations. This data serves as a fundamental resource for relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Traffic Police, enabling them to take necessary precautions and guide citizens and residents toward safer routes. This reflects the significant development in Saudi Arabia's meteorological infrastructure in recent years.

Weather details and affected areas

In addition to the southern, central, and eastern regions, the report indicated that the sky would be partly cloudy with scattered light rain over parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Hail, Al-Qassim, and Madinah regions. The meteorological department also warned of active surface winds stirring up dust and sand, which could affect air quality and visibility in parts of the Tabuk and Makkah regions, urging caution for those using highways.

Weather conditions affect maritime navigation

Regarding maritime navigation, the report described wind patterns and wave conditions as follows:

• Red Sea: Northwesterly to northerly winds prevail at speeds of up to 60 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba, with wave heights that may reach 4 meters, making the sea state turbulent in that part.
• The Arabian Gulf: It is experiencing northwesterly to northerly winds with speeds reaching 50 km/h, with the formation of rain-bearing thunderclouds over the central and southern parts, and a wave height of up to two and a half meters.

Special alerts for the Eastern Province

In a related development concerning the weather in the Eastern Province, the center issued an advanced warning covering Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, and Ras Tanura. This warning, in effect from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, forecasts strong winds, near-zero visibility, hail, flash floods, thunderstorms, and high waves in these areas. The warning emphasizes the need for extreme caution and advises residents to stay away from areas prone to flooding.