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The National Center for Meteorology has placed multiple governorates in Asir under red alert for heavy rain that could trigger flash floods starting Tuesday, with the center’s early warning platform showing nine red alerts out of 39 active warnings nationwide. Locations including Al-Namas, Al-Majardah, Muhayil, Abha and Al-Farshah in Asir face the highest level of warning alongside several sites in Jazan such as Ad-Dair. The center anticipates moderate to heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail over sections of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah while light to moderate rain is likely in parts of Najran.
According to the National Center for Meteorology, orange alerts for moderate rain have been issued for Al-Ardiyat in Makkah with yellow alerts for light rain in Al-Birk of Asir and Farasan in Jazan. The authority activated orange warnings for blowing dust in the Eastern Province covering Al-Nairiyah and Hafar Al-Batin in addition to a yellow heat wave alert for Dhahran. Active winds that stir up dust are expected to influence the southern regions as well as portions of the Eastern Province and Madinah.
NCM temperature projections indicate daytime highs of 44 degrees Celsius in Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam and Buraidah while Makkah will reach 43 degrees and Hail 42 degrees. Coastal Jeddah should see 37 degrees with Abha and Al-Baha remaining milder at 29 and 30 degrees respectively. Humidity is forecast to climb as high as 90 percent in Abha and Al-Baha with Jeddah and Jazan near 80 percent according to the center’s data.
The National Center for Meteorology extended outlook through Friday shows rainfall intensifying over Jazan and Asir on Wednesday with numerous districts in both provinces at risk of moderate to heavy accumulations. Areas in Jazan such as Al-Rayth, Harub, Al-Dayer and Sabya join Asir cities including Khamis Mushait, Ahad Rufaidah and Bareq among those facing elevated potential for significant downpours. Moderate rain is also projected for parts of Al-Baha and Makkah with lighter showers possible across Najran.
Definitions released by the National Center for Meteorology classify light rain as one to four millimeters per hour that may coincide with winds reaching 50 kilometers per hour. Moderate rain falls in the range of five to nine millimeters per hour and can bring reduced visibility along with flash flood risks and winds up to 60 kilometers per hour. Heavy rain exceeds 10 millimeters per hour and can involve winds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour, hail, high coastal waves and the chance of tornadoes or waterspouts.
The center’s daily weather status report confirms thunderstorms have influenced most regions since late August with the pattern set to last at least until September 4. Its early warning system updated on Tuesday afternoon highlighted the concentration of severe alerts in the southwest where local terrain increases flooding threats. Residents in affected zones are advised to follow updates from official NCM channels.
