Heavy thunderstorms, flash flood risk forecast across parts of Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH — Moderate to heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail and flash floods are forecast to affect several parts of the Kingdom on Wednesday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). Conditions are expected over parts of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions, with gusty, dust-stirring winds also affecting those areas as well as parts of the Eastern, Riyadh, and Madinah regions. Over the Red Sea, northwesterly to westerly winds are expected across the northern and central parts, while southwesterly to northwesterly winds will prevail over the southern part at speeds of 15–50 km/h. Waves are forecast to range from 0.5 meters to more than 2 meters, with sea conditions varying from calm to choppy. In the Arabian Gulf, northwesterly to northeasterly winds will blow across the northern and central parts at speeds of 12–30 km/h, shifting in the evening to southeasterly to southwesterly at speeds of 5–15 km/h. Over the southern part of the Gulf, southwesterly to northwesterly winds at speeds of 10–50 km/h are expected to shift in the evening to northerly to northeasterly. Waves will range from 0.5 meters to more than 2 meters, and the sea will be calm to choppy.