JEDDAH — Thunderstorms, flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds are expected over parts of the Kingdom on Sunday, with temperatures reaching up to 49°C in some areas, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
For the expected heatwave, Dammam is forecast to record the highest temperature at 49°C, followed by Riyadh and Buraidah at 47°C.
Temperatures are expected to reach 45°C in Makkah, 43°C in Madinah, and 42°C in Jeddah.
Elsewhere, highs of 31°C are expected in Abha, 37°C in Tabuk and Jazan, 42°C in Hail and Najran, 30°C in Al-Baha, and 41°C in both Arar and Sakaka.
As for the NCM’s rain forecast, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rain and hail that could lead to flash floods are expected over parts of Jazan and Asir. Active winds are also forecast in both regions.
Light to moderate thunderstorms are also forecast over parts of Al-Baha and Makkah, with fog potentially forming over the highlands of those regions.
Active winds stirring up dust and sand are expected over parts of Riyadh and the Eastern Province, as well as parts of Madinah, Makkah and Najran. Dusty conditions are also expected over parts of Tabuk.
For individual areas, Riyadh is forecast to experience suspended dust, while Makkah is expected to be partly cloudy with active winds and raised dust.
Madinah and Jeddah are forecast to be partly cloudy with active winds, while Dammam is expected to experience active winds and raised dust. Tabuk is forecast to be dusty.
Buraidah is expected to see dusty to partly cloudy conditions, while Hail and Sakaka are forecast to experience active winds. Arar is expected to see active winds and raised dust.
Abha is forecast to experience moderate to heavy rain and active winds, while Al-Baha is expected to see thunderstorms and active winds.
Jazan is forecast to experience thunderstorms accompanied by active winds and raised dust, while Najran is expected to see thunderclouds, active winds and raised dust.
Fog may also form during the night and early morning over parts of the Eastern Province’s coast and the Jazan coast.
Source: Saudi Gazette