Thunderstorms, hail and strong winds expected across Saudi regions Wednesday

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong winds raising dust and sand across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders, as well as the northern areas of Qassim and the Eastern Province on Wednesday. Fog is also expected to form over parts of these regions.

The center reported that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at 18–38 km/h, reaching up to 48 km/h toward the Gulf of Aqaba in the northern section; northwesterly to northerly at 12–35 km/h in the central section; and southeasterly to easterly at 12–32 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the southern section.

Wave heights are expected to range from 1 to 1.5 meters, reaching up to 2 meters toward the Gulf of Aqaba in the north; from 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the central section; and from 0.5 to 1.5 meters, exceeding 2 meters toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the south. Sea conditions will be moderate in the northern and central parts, and light to moderate, becoming rough toward Bab al-Mandab in the south.

Winds over the Arabian Gulf will be northerly to northwesterly at 10–35 km/h in the north, and southwesterly to northwesterly at 10–32 km/h, exceeding 50 km/h with the formation of thunderclouds in the south. Wave heights will range from 0.5 to 1.5 meters, exceeding 2 meters with thunderclouds in both the northern and southern sections. Sea conditions will be light to moderate, becoming rough with thunderclouds in these areas.