Thunderstorms and strong winds expected across several Saudi regions Thursday

The National Center of Meteorology has forecast continued moderate to heavy thunderstorms today, which may cause flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong winds stirring dust and sand in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah. There remains a chance of rain-bearing thunderclouds with strong winds in parts of Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, Najran, and the southern areas of the Eastern Province and Riyadh. Fog may also form overnight and in the early morning along the eastern coastal areas.

The report added that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to westerly in the northern part at 15-35 km/h, and northwesterly to southwesterly in the southern part at 10-32 km/h, reaching over 50 km/h with thunderclouds. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, possibly exceeding two meters during thunderstorms. Sea conditions will be light to moderate, becoming rough with thunderclouds.

In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly in the northern and central parts, and northeasterly to southeasterly in the southern part at 10-30 km/h. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one meter, with generally light sea conditions.