RIYADH: The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) warned on Friday that moderate to heavy thunderstorms will continue across much of Saudi Arabia, bringing the threat of flash floods, hail, and sandstorms to the Kingdom.
The unstable weather is expected to impact the Eastern Province, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim, and Riyadh regions. Forecasters also flagged heightened risks for the western and southern highlands, including Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan.
Light to moderate storms are anticipated in Tabuk and Najran, while night and early morning fog is likely to reduce visibility in several areas.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged the public to stay away from valleys and flood-prone zones, noting that dry wadis can transform into raging torrents in minutes. Residents are advised to monitor official weather apps and adhere to safety instructions.
The current instability is part of an unusually intense spring weather pattern that has seen rainfall levels soar more than 160% above the seasonal average in some provinces. Meteorologists attribute the severity to a powerful jet stream pulling deep tropical moisture from the Indian Ocean into the Arabian Peninsula.
The NCM noted that the current rainy system, which began on April 20, has already caused localized flooding in low-lying areas. In Riyadh and the Eastern Province, visibility has been severely restricted by wind-blown sand preceding the heavy downpours.
