Thunderstorms and flash floods expected across several Saudi regions Monday

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms on Monday, leading to flash floods, hail showers, and strong winds stirring dust and sand across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders region.

The report added that light to moderate rain is expected over the southern parts of Riyadh and the Eastern Province, as well as parts of Najran. Fog is also likely to form overnight and during early morning hours along coastal areas of Tabuk, Madinah, Makkah, and the Eastern Province.

Wind and sea conditions

The center noted that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly in the northern part at speeds of 12–38 km/h, reaching over 50 km/h with the formation of thunderclouds. In the central part, winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at 10–32 km/h, while in the southern part, winds will shift from southeasterly to southwesterly at 15–35 km/h, exceeding 50 km/h toward the Bab Al-Mandab Strait as thunderclouds persist.

Wave heights are expected to range from half a meter to one and a half meters, rising above two meters during thunderstorms. Sea conditions will vary from slight to moderate, becoming rough toward the Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds in the northern section will be northwesterly to westerly at 10–28 km/h. In the southern section, winds will shift from westerly to southwesterly, turning easterly and then northeasterly at night. Waves will range from half a meter to one meter, with generally slight sea conditions.