Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged the public to exercise utmost caution and vigil amid forecasts of thunderstorms in various regions of the Kingdom. It called on the people to stay in safe areas as well as to avoid valleys and locations prone to flooding, especially for swimming.

The Civil Defense advised that the guidelines shared on various social media platforms must be followed because of the thunderstorms that are expected in most regions of the Kingdom until Wednesday, Jan. 8.

According to the directorate, the Makkah region will experience torrential downpours and hail, as well as dust-stirring winds. The areas prone to heavy rains include Makkah City, Jeddah, Bahra, Al-Jumum, Rabigh, Kholais, and Al-Kamel.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated in Taif, Maysan, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, Al-Khurma, Rania, Al-Laith, and Al-Qunfudah. The Riyadh region will also get its share of moderate to torrential downpours and hail.

The directorate also said that the regions of Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Eastern Province and Madinah will experience moderate to heavy rainfall.