Okaz/Saudi Gazette
RIYADH — Many regions of the Kingdom will witness moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms from Monday to Friday caused by the Tropical Cyclone Shaheen, according to weather forecasts of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
The Center said on Sunday that the atmosphere of Saudi Arabia is expected to be indirectly affected by the tropical situation in the Sea of Oman caused by Shaheen and eventually an air depression will cause thunderstorms in some regions of the Kingdom. The thunderstorms will often be accompanied by cold showers and dusty downburst that can reach speeds of more than 55 km per hour, the NCM warned.
The Kingdom’s atmosphere will be affected by an air depression that will cause medium to heavy rain and torrential downpour, accompanied by thunderstorms, starting from Monday until Friday in the regions of Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern Province, Asir, and Najran, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
According to NCM forecasts, the impact of the tropical situation will start hitting Monday and Tuesday the southern parts of the Eastern Province, including Al-Batha border crossing, Salwa, and Haradh with medium to heavy rain, and the effect extends on Tuesday and Wednesday to parts of the Riyadh region, including Hotat Bani Tamim, Laila Al-Aflaj and then Wadi Al-Dawasir and Al-Salil.
This will also lead to experience moderate rains on Wednesday in the eastern parts of the Asir region including Bishah, Tathleeth and parts of the Najran region such as Najran, Habouna, Badr Al-Janoub, and Sharurah and the eastern highlands of Makkah region including Al-Khurmah, Raniyyah, Turba, Dhalam and Al-Mawiyyah.
Forecasts also indicate there are chances of thunderstorms, which may lead to torrential rain from Monday to Friday in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Al-Harajah, Sarat Ubaidah, Mahayil, Al-Majaridah, Rijal Almaa, Bariq, Tanomah, Al-Namas, and Balqarn in the southern Asir region; Feefa, Al-Ardah, Al-Dayer, Haroub, Al-Khuba, and Al-Haqou in the Jazan region. Its impact extends with moderate to heavy rain to Jazan, Baysh, Abu Arish, Al-Tawal , Samtah, and Al-Fursan in the Jazan region and Al-Baha, Baljurashi, Al Mandaq, Al-Hujrah, Qilwah, Al-Mikhwah, and Al-Aqeeq in the Al-Baha region and Taif, Maysan, Adham, and Al Adriyat in the Makkah region.
There is possibility for rainy thunderclouds and high-speed dusty downburst in parts of the Makkah region, including Makkah, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Khulais, Allaith, and Qunfudhah.
Meanwhile, The General Directorate of Civil Defense called on everyone to be vigilant and exercise caution in such an inclement weather situation. It urged the public to stay away from places witnessing torrential and flooding, as well as to abide by the instructions issued by the Civil Defense through various media outlets and social networking sites so as to ensure their safety.
