Saudi Arabia weather update: New alerts over rain in several areas

Cairo: Meteorological Saudi authorities have issued warnings about rainy weather in the coming hours in the kingdom where several areas have experienced heavy rains in the past few days.

The Saudi National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) said likely moderate- to- heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday can result in torrential rains, accompanied by hail showers and dust-laden winds in parts of the Eastern Province.

They include the eastern cities of Al Ahsa, Jubail, Al Khobar, Dammam, and Qatif. Such weather conditions will continue until 12 noon on Wednesday, according to the centre.

NCM also said that the Mecca region and Medina, home to Islam’s two holiest mosques, are hit by strong winds with low visibility with the condition to last until 3pm on Wednesday.

The centre warned that the Asir region in south-western Saudi Arabia is witnessing a drizzle with active winds and low visibility.

Temperatures are, meanwhile, expected to continue to drop in parts of the regions of Tabuk, Al Jawf, the Northern Borders, and H’ail in the north-western Saudi Arabia. Their impact is anticipated to extend to the central region of Qassim and Riyadh.

NCM Weather analyst, Aqil Al-Aqil, expected rainfall to continue in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, as well as in the southern and southwestern highlands, with temperatures plummeting to zero degrees in the northern parts over the next two days.

Earlier this week, several Saudi areas, including Mecca, Jeddah and Medina, were hit by downpour, prompting local authorities to be on high alert. Social media footage showed some roads submerged and vehicles stranded as a result.