Weather alert in Saudi Arabia: Heavy rain, hail, and potential floods expected
Stay safe out there
With the arrival of winter in Saudi Arabia, a weather alert has been issued in the Kingdom by the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM). The alert has been issued for parts of the Kingdom; this is what you need to know about the weather alert in Saudi Arabia.
The weather alert in Saudi Arabia has been issued for several parts of the Kingdom from Tuesday to Friday. During this time, the country is expecting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hail, and potential flash floods over the western and northern regions before extending to parts of the southwest, according to Gulf News. During this time, downburst winds may reach speeds of 60 kilometres per hour or more.
Affected areas include Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Al Jouf, the Northern Borders Region, Hail, Al Baha, Asir, and Jazan. In these regions, rainfall will vary between light, moderate, and heavy at intervals, with some areas potentially witnessing hailstorms, strong downdrafts, and reduced visibility due to rising dust.
In light of this, authorities have urged citizens to remain alert when it comes to the changing conditions, especially in areas prone to flooding. At this time, the Mecca Crisis and Disaster Management Centre has advised motorists to err on the side of caution on highways, avoid valley paths and floodplains, and steer clear of water-gathering areas.
Some governorates in the affected regions are expected to experience recurrent bouts of thunderstorms and heavy rain over the coming days. Residents are encouraged to follow all the necessary precautions issued by the National Centre for Meteorology to ensure their safety during this period.
The National Centre for Meteorology will continue to issue updates as the situation develops; emergency teams and civil defence units have also been placed on standby for any potential accidents that might occur.
To read more about this: ncm.gov.sa
