Saudi Arabia weather today: Rain in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and a red alert issued
The National Center for Meteorology issued a detailed report on weather conditions for Tuesday, warning of moderate rainfall with potential impacts ranging from flash floods to hail in scattered areas of the Eastern Province and Riyadh. This weather pattern is expected to continue until 11:00 AM today, with calls for caution.
Areas covered and weather details
The report clarified that the warning includes Hafr Al-Batin Governorate in the Eastern Province, in addition to Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, and Al-Majma'ah Governorates in the Riyadh Region. The center indicated that these rains will be accompanied by several weather phenomena, including:
- High-speed winds affect the stability of flying objects.
- Near-zero horizontal visibility necessitates caution while driving.
- Hail fell and there was a possibility of flash floods in valleys and ravines.
- Thunderstorms associated with cumulonimbus clouds.
Dust storms and reduced visibility in Riyadh
In a related development, the center predicted that other parts of the Riyadh region would experience surface winds stirring up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This phenomenon is expected to begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM, affecting the governorates of Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway'iyah, and Afif.
Red alert: Heavy rain in 6 regions
The National Center for Meteorology raised its alert level to "red alert," warning of heavy rains affecting parts of six regions in the Kingdom today, Tuesday. These critical conditions are expected to persist intermittently between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, accompanied by high waves in coastal areas and near-zero visibility in some locations.
Climate context and the importance of monitoring
These weather fluctuations are occurring during a transitional period in Saudi Arabia, characterized by the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and varying intensities of rainfall. While this rainfall plays a vital role in replenishing groundwater and promoting vegetation growth, it also necessitates a high level of preparedness from relevant authorities and the infrastructure for rainwater drainage and flood mitigation.
The National Center of Meteorology relies in its reports on the latest weather monitoring and satellite technologies to provide accurate and up-to-date information, which contributes to protecting lives and property through the automated early warning system.
Public safety recommendations
Given these weather conditions, weather experts and security authorities advise following safety guidelines, which include staying away from flood channels and valley bottoms, avoiding going out during severe thunderstorms except when necessary, in addition to reducing speed while driving and leaving a sufficient safety distance to avoid skidding or collision accidents due to low visibility.
