Thunderstorms and strong winds expected across several Saudi regions Thursday

The National Center for Meteorology, in its weather report for today, forecast continued thunderstorms accompanied by hail showers and strong winds over parts of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, extending to areas of the highlands in Makkah region. Rain-bearing thunderclouds may also form over southern parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh. Active winds raising dust and sand are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Qassim, Riyadh, and Najran, with visibility dropping to near zero in parts of the Eastern Province and along the coastal areas of Madinah and Makkah.

The report noted that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to westerly at 15–40 km/h, exceeding 50 km/h with the formation of thunderclouds in the southern part. Wave heights will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters, rising above 2 meters with thunderstorms in the south. Sea conditions will be light to moderate, becoming rough with thunderclouds in the southern section.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be northwesterly to westerly at 20–45 km/h in the northern and central parts, and northeasterly to northwesterly at 10–32 km/h in the south. Wave heights will be 1–2 meters in the north and center, and 0.5–1.5 meters in the south. Sea conditions will be moderate in the north and center, and light to moderate in the south.