Heavy thunderstorms and flash floods expected across several Saudi regions

The National Center for Meteorology, in its report on Friday, forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms that may lead to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and strong winds causing dust and sandstorms, affecting parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah regions.

The report also indicated the possibility of fog forming during the night and early morning hours in some of the aforementioned areas. Thunderstorm clouds with strong winds are also expected to persist over parts of Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, and Najran, as well as the southern parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Sea conditions and surface winds

The center explained that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to westerly at speeds between 15 and 32 km/h in the northern part, and northwesterly to southwesterly at 10–30 km/h in the central and southern parts, possibly exceeding 50 km/h with thunderstorm clouds. Wave heights are expected to range from half a meter to one and a half meters, rising to over two meters during thunderstorms, with sea conditions varying from slight to moderate, becoming rough with thunderclouds.

Over the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, shifting at night to northeasterly over the northern and central parts, and southeasterly to southwesterly, turning at night to northwesterly to northeasterly over the southern part, at speeds of 10–30 km/h. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one meter, with generally slight sea conditions.