Saudi Arabia Issues Weather Alerts for Heavy Rain, Dust, and Extreme Heat Across Multiple Regions
Quick Look
- The National Center for Meteorology issued red alerts for heavy rain in Asir and Al-Baha, with orange and yellow alerts for moderate and light rain in Makkah and the Eastern Province.
- Forecasts include thunderstorms, flash floods, hail, dust storms, and extreme temperatures reaching up to 44°C in Madinah and Buraidah.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The National Center for Meteorology issued weather alerts across multiple regions of Saudi Arabia due to expected heavy rain, thunderstorms, dust storms, and extreme temperatures.
JEDDAH — Red alerts for heavy rain have been issued for Asir and Al-Baha on Thursday, while orange and yellow alerts for moderate and light rain are active across parts of Makkah, and the Eastern Province.
According to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), red alerts for heavy rain include Al-Majardah and Rijal Almaa in Asir and Al-Baha in the Al-Baha region.
Meanwhile, orange alerts for moderate rain include Al-Ardiyat and Adham in the Makkah region, as well as Al-Hajrah in Al-Baha.
Yellow alerts for light rain include Taif and Al-Qunfudhah in the Makkah region and Al-Udayd in the Eastern Province.
In its daily forecast, the NCM said moderate to heavy thunderstorms that could lead to flash floods, accompanied by hail, are expected to continue over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and the highlands of the Makkah region.
Light rain is also forecast over southern parts of the Eastern Province.
Active winds stirring up dust and sand are expected over parts of those areas, as well as parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh, extending to parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions, particularly their coastal areas.
NCM's map showing the areas under red, orange and yellow weather alerts.
For temperatures, Madinah and Buraidah are forecast to record the highest temperatures at 44°C, followed by Riyadh and Makkah at 43°C and Dammam at 42°C.
Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to reach 41°C in Hail, 40°C in Arar, Sakaka and Najran, 38°C in Jeddah, Tabuk and Jazan, 30°C in Abha and 28°C in Al-Baha.
For other conditions, suspended dust is forecast in Riyadh, Buraidah and Hail, while blowing dust is expected in Madinah, Dammam, Sakaka, Jazan and Najran.
Partly cloudy conditions are forecast in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, with active winds expected in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Sakaka, Jazan and Najran.
Fog is forecast in Abha and Al-Baha, while Tabuk and Arar are expected to be clear.
Humidity is forecast to reach 90 percent in Abha and Al-Baha, 85 percent in Jazan, 70 percent in Jeddah, 60 percent in Dammam and Najran, and 50 percent in Tabuk.
Meanwhile humidity levels are expected to reach 40 percent in Makkah, 30 percent in Arar and Sakaka, 25 percent in Riyadh, Buraidah and Hail, and 20 percent in Madinah.
Open Questions
- What is the expected duration of the weather alerts?
- Are any emergency measures being taken by authorities in response to the alerts?
- Have there been any reported incidents or damages due to the weather conditions so far?
