Weather warning issued for Mecca
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced weather alert today for the Makkah region, warning of light to moderate rainfall. The center explained that this rain will be accompanied by other weather phenomena, including active winds stirring up dust and sand, thunderstorms, and hail, which may lead to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility. The report indicated that this weather pattern is expected to continue until 8:00 PM this evening, God willing.
Affected areas and potential risks
The alert covered several governorates and vital centers in the region, including the coastal city of Jeddah, and the governorates of Khulais, Al-Kamil, Rabigh, Adham, and Bahrah. The center warned that the effects could extend beyond mere rainfall, as the risk of flash floods in valleys and ravines is high, especially given the region's geography. The center also alerted residents of coastal areas to the possibility of high waves, urging everyone to take precautions and stay away from areas prone to flash flooding and low-lying regions.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These warnings come amidst a climate characterized by fluctuations during certain seasons in the Kingdom. The Makkah region, despite its generally arid desert climate, occasionally experiences periods of atmospheric instability leading to heavy rainfall over short periods. Given the region's mountainous terrain, this rainfall can quickly transform into flash floods, posing a threat to lives and property. Therefore, the warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology are of paramount importance, as they contribute to raising public awareness and enabling relevant authorities, such as the Civil Defense, to take the necessary precautions to deal with any emergency.
An overview of the Kingdom's weather
The rainy weather was not limited to the Makkah region alone, but extended to large areas of the Kingdom. The National Center for Meteorology and Environmental Protection predicted continued thunderstorms of varying intensity, potentially heavy and leading to flash floods, in parts of the Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Eastern Province regions, as well as the northern parts of the Riyadh region. This widespread weather pattern reflects the influence of a low-pressure system on the Kingdom, bringing with it moisture and favorable conditions for the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and widespread rainfall.
