Saudi Arabia issues red and orange alerts as heavy thunderstorms sweep across several regions
JEDDAH — Red and orange weather alerts have been issued across parts of Madinah, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Asir and Makkah on Wednesday, as moderate to heavy thunderstorms continue to affect several Saudi regions, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
A red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued in Madinah Region from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., accompanied by strong winds, zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods, high waves and thunderstorms.
Orange alerts for moderate rainfall also remain in effect across parts of Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders until 1 p.m. Wednesday, following their activation at 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Additional orange alerts have been issued for Asir from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Makkah, where separate alerts cover periods from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The orange alerts warn of strong winds, near-zero visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms, with high waves also expected in the affected areas of Makkah Region.
According to the NCM’s Wednesday forecast, moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods, accompanied by showers of hail and active winds stirring up dust and sand, are expected across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders.
Light to moderate thunderstorms are also forecast over parts of Al-Qassim and the Eastern Province, while fog may form over parts of the affected regions.
For temperatures, Makkah is forecast to record the highest temperature at 38°C, followed by Buraidah at 37°C and Riyadh, Madinah, Jeddah and Dammam at 36°C.
Jazan is expected to reach 35°C, followed by Sakaka at 32°C, Hail, Arar and Najran at 31°C, Tabuk at 30°C, Al-Baha at 23°C and Abha at 22°C.
Humidity is forecast to reach 90 percent in Abha, Tabuk and Al-Baha, followed by 85 percent in Dammam and 80 percent in Makkah, Jeddah, Arar, Sakaka and Jazan.
Hail is expected to record 70 percent humidity, followed by Madinah at 65 percent, Buraidah at 50 percent and Riyadh and Najran at 30 percent.
