Heavy rain and flash floods expected across several Saudi regions today

The National Center for Meteorology, in its weather report for Friday, forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms that may lead to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and strong winds raising dust and sand, causing near-zero horizontal 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 rain 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, and over the central part, northwesterly to southwesterly at 15–30 km/h, possibly exceeding 60 km/h during thunderstorms. In the southern Red Sea, winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly at 15–30 km/h, also reaching over 60 km/h.

Wave heights in the northern Red Sea will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters; in the central part, from half a meter to 1.5 meters, possibly exceeding two meters, and similarly in the south, with waves potentially rising above two meters. Sea conditions in the north will be slight to moderate, while in the central and southern parts, conditions will be slight to moderate, becoming rough at times.

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