Saudi Arabia braces for heavy rain and strong winds across multiple regions until Sunday

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast widespread rainfall of varying intensities, from light to heavy, across most regions of the kingdom starting Friday and continuing until Sunday, January 12.

The adverse weather conditions are expected to include heavy downpours, strong winds of up to 60 km/h, torrential rain, hailstorms, and high waves along the coasts.

Areas likely to be affected include Tabuk, Northern Borders, Al Jouf, Medina, Mecca, Hail, Al Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Al Baha, Asir, and Jazan.

The NCM report specifies that Al Jouf, Northern Borders, and Hail will experience rain on Friday and Saturday, while Tabuk and Medina are forecasted to see rainfall on Friday.

Riyadh and Al Baha will be impacted from Friday to Sunday, with the Eastern Province, Asir, and Jazan expected to experience rainy conditions from Saturday to Sunday. Al Qassim will see rain primarily on Saturday.

The NCM has urged residents to stay informed about the latest weather developments through its website, the “Anwaa” application, and its social media channels.

The people are also advised to follow safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities to ensure their well-being.

Heavy rain and strong winds are common during this season in Saudi Arabia, occasionally leading to localised flooding and disruptions in some areas.