JEDDAH — A red alert for heavy rain and possible flash floods has been issued for parts of Makkah Region on Thursday, as moderate to heavy thunderstorms are forecast across several Saudi regions, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
The red alert covers Bahrah in Makkah Region from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with strong winds, near-zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms expected.
According to the NCM’s Thursday forecast, moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods, accompanied by hail and active winds stirring up dust and sand, are expected over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah.
Light to moderate rain is also forecast over parts of Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders and the Eastern Province.
Dense fog may also form over coastal parts of eastern Saudi Arabia.
For temperatures, Makkah and Dammam are forecast to record the highest temperatures at 39°C, followed by Madinah at 38°C, and Riyadh and Buraidah at 37°C.
Jeddah, Arar and Sakaka are expected to reach 36°C, followed by Jazan at 35°C, Tabuk and Hail at 34°C, Najran at 30°C, Abha at 25°C and Al-Baha at 24°C.
Humidity is forecast to reach 100 percent in Dammam, 90 percent in Al-Baha, 85 percent in Abha and Jazan, and 80 percent in Makkah and Jeddah.
Humidity levels are expected to reach 50 percent in Madinah, Tabuk, Hail, Arar and Sakaka, 35 percent in Riyadh and Najran, and 30 percent in Buraidah.
Source: Saudi Gazette