Heavy rain and flash floods expected across Saudi regions today

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms today, Friday, which may lead to flash floods. The storms are expected to bring hail and strong winds raising dust and sand, causing near-zero visibility in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah, as well as areas of Hail, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders region.

The report added that light to moderate rainfall is expected in parts of Madinah, Tabuk, and the Eastern Province, with fog likely to form overnight and during early morning hours along the coastal areas of Madinah, Makkah, and the Eastern Province.

Wind and sea conditions

According to the report, surface winds over the northern Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at 15-35 km/h. In the central part, winds will shift from northwesterly to southwesterly at 15-30 km/h, potentially exceeding 60 km/h during thunderstorms. In the southern Red Sea, winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly at 15-30 km/h, also possibly exceeding 60 km/h.

Wave heights in the northern Red Sea will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters, while in the central and southern parts, waves may reach over two meters at times. Sea conditions in the north will be slight to moderate, and in the central and southern areas, slight to moderate with periods of rough seas.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds in the northern part will be southwesterly to southeasterly at 10-25 km/h, reaching over 50 km/h during thunderstorms. In the southern part, winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at similar speeds. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one meter, occasionally exceeding two meters in some areas, with sea conditions from slight to rough.