Thunderstorms, hail and strong winds expected across Saudi regions Wednesday

The National Center of Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday, leading to flash floods, hail showers, and strong winds in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. Fog is also expected in these areas, with visibility dropping to near zero in the Eastern Province, especially along the coast. The center added that there remains a chance of rain-bearing thunderclouds accompanied by strong winds, dust, and sand in parts of Hail, the Northern Borders, and the Eastern Province.

The report noted that surface winds over the northern Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at 20–40 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h toward the Gulf of Aqaba. In the central Red Sea, winds will be northwesterly to westerly at 20–40 km/h, while in the southern part, winds will shift from northwesterly to southwesterly at 15–30 km/h, exceeding 60 km/h during thunderstorms. Wave heights in the northern Red Sea will range from one to two meters, exceeding two meters toward the Gulf of Aqaba; in the central part, waves will be one to two meters, and in the south, from half a meter to one meter, rising above two meters during thunderstorms.

Sea conditions in the northern Red Sea will be moderate, becoming rough toward the Gulf of Aqaba. The central Red Sea will see light to moderate waves, while the southern part will be light to moderate, turning rough during thunderstorms.

Winds over the Arabian Gulf will be southerly to southwesterly, shifting in the evening to northeasterly to northwesterly at 10–25 km/h. In the southern Gulf, winds will be easterly to northeasterly at 10–25 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h during thunderstorms. Wave heights in the northern Gulf will be half a meter to one meter, while in the south, waves will range from half a meter to one meter, exceeding two meters during thunderstorms. Sea conditions in the northern Gulf will be light, while the southern part will be light, turning rough during thunderstorms.