Dust storms and thunderstorms hit Saudi Arabia, trigger weather alerts

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology has warned of continued unstable weather conditions across several regions, as strong winds carrying dust and sand reduce visibility and thunderstorms threaten parts of the southwest.

In its latest daily report, the center forecast active wind conditions over the Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Najran, in addition to parts of Medina and Mecca.

Blowing dust is expected to severely reduce horizontal visibility, particularly along the coastal highway to Jazan, where near-zero visibility is anticipated.

Meanwhile, the southwestern regions of Jazan and Asir, extending into the highlands of Al Baha, remain under alert for thunderstorms accompanied by hail and gusty winds.

The conditions are part of a weather pattern impacting large portions of the Kingdom. Maritime conditions are also expected to be affected.

Surface winds over the Red Sea will range from 15 to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, and from 25 to 50 km/h in the south, with wave heights reaching up to 2.5 meters.

The sea state will range from slight to moderate in the north and central sections, becoming moderate to rough in the south.

Over the Arabian Gulf, surface winds are forecast to blow from the west to northwest at 15 to 40 km/h in the north and central areas, and from the east to northeast at 10 to 25 km/h in the south. Wave heights will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters in the north and center, and up to 1 meter in the south.