Red and orange alerts issued for heavy rain, thunderstorms across Saudi regions

JEDDAH — Red and orange weather alerts have been issued across parts of Al-Baha, Madinah and Makkah on Sunday, as moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods are forecast across several Saudi regions, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). A red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued in parts of Al-Baha Region from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., accompanied by strong winds, zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, orange alerts for moderate rainfall have also been issued in Madinah Region from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Makkah Region from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The orange alerts warn of strong winds, near-zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms, with high waves also expected in the affected area of Makkah Region. According to the NCM’s Sunday forecast, moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods, accompanied by hail and active winds stirring up dust and sand, are expected across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders. Fog may also form over parts of these regions, as well as northern parts of the Eastern Province. For temperatures, Makkah and Dammam are forecast to record the highest temperatures at 37°C, followed by Madinah and Jeddah at 36°C. Riyadh, Buraidah and Jazan are expected to reach 35°C, followed by Najran at 32°C, Tabuk at 31°C, Hail at 30°C, Sakaka at 28°C, Arar at 27°C, Abha at 23°C and Al-Baha at 22°C. Humidity is forecast to reach 95 percent in Dammam, followed by 90 percent in Abha and Al-Baha, and 85 percent in Jeddah, Hail, Arar, Sakaka and Jazan. Humidity levels are expected to reach 80 percent in Makkah, Tabuk and Buraidah, 75 percent in Madinah, 55 percent in Najran and 35 percent in Riyadh.