Weather forecast for Saudi Arabia for Saturday
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather forecast for Saturday, indicating continued weather fluctuations across large parts of the country. The center warned of varying intensities of rainfall, fog formation, and active surface winds that could stir up dust and sand, potentially affecting nine different regions.
According to the report, moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected to continue, potentially leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will reduce horizontal visibility. This weather pattern will be particularly concentrated in parts of the Riyadh, Qassim, and Eastern Province regions. Light rain is expected in the highlands of the Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions, with the possibility of dense fog forming during the night and early morning hours in parts of these highlands, necessitating caution while driving.
Meanwhile, the Al-Jawf and Northern Borders regions will experience surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, reducing visibility and affecting respiratory patients.
The climatic context of weather fluctuations in the Kingdom
These weather fluctuations are part of the typical climatic patterns in the Arabian Peninsula during seasonal transitions. The Kingdom is characterized by a mostly arid desert climate, but it experiences intermittent rainfall, most notably the "Wasam" season, which begins in mid-October and lasts for approximately two months, and is considered an indicator of a good rainy season. Low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean and Red Seas directly influence the Kingdom's weather, bringing moisture that interacts with various air masses to form cumulonimbus clouds and rain, particularly over the western and southwestern highlands, as well as the central and northern regions.
Importance and expected effects of the weather conditions
Locally, these rains are of paramount importance in replenishing groundwater reservoirs and dams, supporting the agricultural sector, and contributing to the growth of vegetation cover, which aligns with the objectives of national environmental initiatives such as the "Saudi Green Initiative." However, the heavy rainfall can pose a significant challenge, increasing the risk of flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas, thus threatening lives and property. Accordingly, the General Directorate of Civil Defense issues continuous warnings to citizens and residents, urging them to stay away from floodplains and valleys and to exercise extreme caution. Furthermore, strong winds and fog directly impact land and air transportation, potentially causing delays or cancellations to ensure safety.
Sea conditions and navigation
The weather report also noted the state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf:
- Red Sea: Surface winds will be northwesterly to northerly in the northern and central parts at speeds of 10-25 km/h, and southeasterly to southwesterly in the southern part at speeds of 12-35 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching two meters towards the strait. Sea conditions will be slight to moderate, becoming choppy at the strait.
- Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be southeasterly to southerly in the northern and central parts at speeds of 15-35 km/h, and northeasterly to easterly in the southern part at speeds of 12-28 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms and rain. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching two meters during thunderstorms. Sea conditions will be slight to moderate, becoming rough during thunderstorms.
