RIYADH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has forecast thunderstorms to continue across multiple regions of the Kingdom from Friday through Tuesday, with rainfall ranging from light to heavy, intensifying in several areas.
According to the NCM, these weather conditions may be accompanied by strong downdraft winds reaching up to 60 km/h, which could stir up dust and reduce visibility; hail; rising wave heights; and flash floods in areas experiencing heavier rainfall.
The center also forecast the severity of these storms could increase in certain areas over the weekend.
For regions expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, certain areas in the Eastern Province — particularly Dammam, Jubail, Ras Tanura, Qatif, and Al-Khobar — will experience the storms, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.
Whereas Al-Ahsa and Abqaiq are forecast to experience moderate to heavy rainfall from Friday through Monday, with peak intensity over the weekend.
In the Riyadh region, conditions are expected to vary, with moderate to heavy rainfall forecast across Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Sulayyil, and Al-Aflaj from Friday through Tuesday, with intensity increasing on Sunday and Monday.
The capital, Riyadh, and surrounding governorates — including Al-Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahimiyah, Durma, and Marat — are expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, with activity returning on Tuesday.
Further west, the Makkah region is expected to be impacted by moderate to heavy rainfall in Taif, Maysan, Adham, and Al-Ardiyat from Saturday through Tuesday, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, coastal areas such as Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudhah are forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall through Monday, while Makkah city, Al-Jumum, Bahrah, and Al-Kamil may see moderate rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.
In the southwestern regions, including Asir, Jazan, and Al-Baha, widespread rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy is expected from Friday through Tuesday, with intensity increasing from Saturday onward.
Cities such as Abha, Khamis Mushait, Ahad Rafidah, and Muhayil Asir, as well as Jazan, Sabya, and Abu Arish, are among the areas likely to be affected.
For the Kingdom’s north, parts of the Northern Borders, including Rafha and Al-Uwayqilah, are forecast to receive moderate rainfall on Saturday, while parts of Hafar Al-Batin and Al-Khafji may see moderate to heavy rainfall during the same period.
The Qassim region is expected to see lighter conditions, with light rainfall forecast across Buraidah, Unaizah, Al-Rass, and surrounding areas on Saturday.
In Najran, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across the region, including Najran city, Badr Al-Janoub, and Hubuna, from Friday through Tuesday.
Meanwhile, parts of the Madinah region, including Madinah city, Khaybar, Al-Ula, and Al-Hanakiyah, are forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall on Tuesday.
Source: Saudi Gazette