Thunderstorms, strong winds and dust forecast across Saudi regions Thursday

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms today, leading to flash floods, hail showers, and strong winds stirring dust and sand that may cause near-zero visibility in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. Lighter to moderate rainfall is expected in areas of Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and the Eastern Province, with dense fog forming along the eastern coastal areas.

The report noted that surface winds over the northern Red Sea will be northwesterly to southwesterly at 15-30 km/h, and in the central part, northwesterly to southwesterly at 15-35 km/h, reaching over 60 km/h with thunderclouds. In the southern Red Sea, winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly at 15-30 km/h, also exceeding 60 km/h with thunderstorms. Wave heights in the northern and central Red Sea will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters, reaching over 2 meters during storms, while the sea state will be slight to moderate, becoming rough in some southern areas.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds in the northern sector will be southwesterly to southeasterly at 10-25 km/h, exceeding 50 km/h with thunderstorms. In the south, winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at 10-25 km/h, also exceeding 50 km/h with thunderclouds. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one meter, rising above two meters in both northern and southern parts during storms. The sea state will be slight, becoming rough at times in both sectors.