JEDDAH — Red alerts for heavy rain have been issued for several regions, while moderate rain and blowing dust have been forecast for other parts of the Kingdom, with temperatures expected to reach 47°C on Thursday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
The NCM’s red alert covers Taif, Al-Kamil, Adham and surrounding areas in the Makkah region, with heavy rain expected.
An orange alert for moderate rain has been issued for Al-Ais, Al-Mahd, Badr and surrounding areas in the Madinah region.
A yellow alert for light rain and blowing dust has also been issued for Rabigh, Jeddah, Al-Khurmah and surrounding areas in the Makkah region.
In its daily forecast, the NCM said moderate to heavy thunderstorms that could lead to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds raising dust and sand, are expected over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah and Madinah.
The NCM said the chance remains for rain-bearing thunderclouds accompanied by active winds over parts of the Northern Borders, Jazan, and the southern parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh. Fog is also possible during the night and early morning over coastal parts of the eastern areas of the Kingdom.
For temperatures, Madinah is forecast to record the highest temperature at 47°C, followed by Dammam at 46°C, and Riyadh and Buraidah at 45°C.
NCM’s map showing areas under red, orange and yellow weather alerts.
Temperatures are expected to reach 43°C in Makkah, Arar and Sakaka, 42°C in Hail, 40°C in Tabuk and Najran, 38°C in Jazan, 37°C in Jeddah, 31°C in Abha, and 28°C in Al-Baha.
For individual cities, Riyadh is forecast to be partly cloudy with suspended dust, while Makkah and Madinah are expected to experience rain, active winds and blowing dust.
Jeddah is forecast to experience rain, active winds and blowing dust, while Dammam is expected to see fog and partly cloudy conditions.
Abha is forecast to experience heavy thunderstorms, active winds and fog, while Tabuk is expected to be clear to partly cloudy.
Buraidah is forecast to be partly cloudy with suspended dust, while Hail is expected to experience rain-bearing thunderclouds, active winds and blowing dust.
Arar and Sakaka are forecast to be partly cloudy, while Jazan is expected to experience thunderstorms, active winds and blowing dust.
Najran is forecast to see rain-bearing thunderclouds, active winds and blowing dust.
Humidity is forecast to reach 95 percent in Dammam, Abha and Al-Baha, 85 percent in Jazan, 75 percent in Jeddah, 70 percent in Makkah, 65 percent in Madinah, 60 percent in Najran, 35 percent in Tabuk, 25 percent in Hail, Arar and Sakaka, and 20 percent in Riyadh and Buraidah.
Source: Saudi Gazette