JEDDAH — Red alerts for heavy rain have been issued for parts of Saudi Arabia on Sunday, as thunderstorms, hail, and flash floods are forecast across several regions, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
The NCM’s forecasts indicate rainfall of 10–50 mm per hour or more, over affected areas in the southwest. Orange alerts indicate moderate rain of 5–9 mm per hour, while yellow alerts indicate light rain of 1–4 mm per hour.
In its daily forecast, the NCM said moderate to heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail and active winds are expected to continue over parts of Jazan and Asir, potentially leading to flash floods.
Light to moderate rain is also forecast over parts of Makkah and Madinah, as well as southern parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh Region.
Active winds stirring up dust and sand are expected over parts of those regions, as well as parts of the Northern Borders Region.
Extremely hot conditions are also forecast over parts of the Eastern Province.
NCM’s map showing the areas under the red alerts.
For individual areas, Riyadh is forecast to be partly cloudy to cloudy with active winds and dust, while Makkah is expected to be partly cloudy to cloudy with active winds.
Madinah is forecast to experience thunderclouds, active winds and dust, while Jeddah is expected to be partly cloudy to cloudy with active winds.
Dammam is forecast to experience suspended dust, partly cloudy conditions and fog, while Abha is expected to see thunderstorms, active winds and fog.
Tabuk, Arar and Sakaka are forecast to be clear, while Buraidah and Hail are expected to see clear to partly cloudy conditions.
Al-Baha is forecast to experience thunderstorms, active winds and fog, while Jazan is expected to see thunderclouds, active winds and dust. Najran is forecast to be partly cloudy with active winds and dust.
Fog may also form during the night and early morning over parts of the highlands of Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha, extending to parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions.
For temperatures, Madinah and Dammam are forecast to record the highest temperatures at 45°C, followed by Riyadh and Buraidah at 44°C.
Temperatures are expected to reach 42°C in Makkah, 39°C in Jeddah, 29°C in Abha, 39°C in Tabuk, 42°C in Hail, 26°C in Al-Baha, 42°C in Arar, 43°C in Sakaka, 38°C in Jazan and 41°C in Najran.
Source: Saudi Gazette