ع
The National Center for Meteorology activated red alerts for heavy rainfall in multiple governorates across four regions, with forecasts indicating moderate to heavy thunderstorms through Sunday. Makkah, Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha face the highest risks, including accompanying strong winds capable of reducing visibility and triggering flash floods in vulnerable areas. The center’s early warning platform detailed these alerts on Wednesday for impacts beginning Thursday, covering locations such as Taif and Al-Ardiyat in Makkah as well as various districts in the other three regions.
NCM data placed red alerts for heavy rain in Al-Mukhwah and additional sites in Al-Baha, Al-Mejardah in Asir, Adam in Makkah and Ahad Al-Masarihah in Jazan among others. These warnings include potential hail, thunder and surface winds exceeding 50 kilometers per hour in some spots during peak activity. The assessment found that the system could produce rainfall intense enough to cause flowing valleys and temporary disruptions to road safety.
Separate orange-level alerts for moderate rain extend to parts of Madinah and Najran, according to the same NCM platform update. Surface winds over the Red Sea are projected to reach 15 to 40 kilometers per hour with higher gusts near thunderstorms, the center reported. Marine conditions may turn rough in affected waters, with wave heights climbing above two meters at times.
Civil defense officials urged residents to avoid low-lying areas and flooded valleys during the forecast period, a directive issued in coordination with the weather alerts. Motorists received advice to monitor updates and adjust travel plans where visibility or road conditions deteriorate. The warnings align with a broader pattern of instability across western Saudi Arabia that began earlier in the week.
The National Center for Meteorology maintains an online early warning system that provides real-time maps and governorate-specific details for public use. Similar forecasts in recent seasons have highlighted the western highlands as particularly susceptible to such convective activity. Authorities continue to track the system’s progression with regular updates expected over the coming days.
