JEDDAH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued red alerts for heavy rain and flash floods in parts of the Asir region on Tuesday, while its extended forecast indicates that rainfall could continue in some affected areas through the end of next week.

Red alerts have been issued for Al-Namas, Al-Majardah and Rijal Almaa in Asir. The NCM also forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by hail and flash floods, across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah.

An orange alert for moderate rain has been issued for Al-Ardiyat in the Makkah region, while yellow alerts for light rain are in effect for Al-Birk in Asir and Farasan in Jazan. Light to moderate rainfall is also expected over parts of Najran.

In the Eastern Province, orange alerts for blowing dust are active in Al-Nairiyah and Hafar Al-Batin, along with other locations, while a yellow heat-wave alert has been issued for Dhahran.

Active winds capable of stirring up dust and sand are expected across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah and Najran, as well as areas of the Eastern Province and Madinah.

Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam and Buraidah are forecast to record maximum temperatures of 44°C, followed by Makkah at 43°C and Hail at 42°C. Najran is expected to reach 40°C, while temperatures could reach 39°C in Arar and Sakaka, 38°C in Jazan, 37°C in Jeddah, 36°C in Tabuk, 30°C in Al-Baha and 29°C in Abha.

Blowing dust is expected in Dammam, Buraidah, Jazan and Najran, while suspended dust is forecast in Makkah. Fog is also expected in Abha. Riyadh is forecast to remain clear to partly cloudy, while Tabuk, Arar and Sakaka are expected to have clear skies.

Humidity levels are forecast to reach 90 percent in Abha and Al-Baha and 80 percent in Jeddah and Jazan. Najran could record 70 percent humidity, followed by Dammam at 60 percent, Tabuk at 45 percent and Makkah at 40 percent. Humidity is expected to reach 35 percent in Arar and Sakaka, 30 percent in Hail, 25 percent in Buraidah and 20 percent in Riyadh and Madinah.

In its extended forecast covering Monday through Friday, the NCM said rainfall is expected to intensify over parts of Jazan and Asir on Wednesday. In Jazan, moderate to heavy rain is forecast across Al-Rayth, Harub, Al-Dayer, Al-Eidabi, Fayfa, Al-Aridah, Al-Harth, Al-Tuwal, Al-Darb, Baysh, Sabya, Damad, Abu Arish, Ahad Al-Masarih and Samtah. Jazan and Farasan are also expected to receive moderate to heavy rain at varying times.

In Asir, moderate to heavy rainfall, intensifying on Wednesday, is expected in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Ahad Rufaidah, Sarat Abidah, Al-Harajah, Dhahran Al-Janub, Al-Farshah, Al-Namas, Tanomah, Rijal Almaa, Bareq, Mahayil Asir, Al-Majardah and Balqarn.

Moderate to heavy rain is also forecast in Qilwah, Bani Hassan, Al-Qara, Al-Makhwah, Al-Hajrah, Ghamid Al-Zinad, Al-Baha, Baljurashi, Al-Mandaq and Al-Aqiq in Al-Baha, as well as Maysan, Adham and Al-Ardiyat in the Makkah region.

Taif is expected to receive moderate rain, while light to moderate rainfall is forecast in Najran, Badr Al-Janub, Hubuna and Thar.

The NCM classifies light rain as 1–4 mm per hour, which may be accompanied by active winds capable of stirring dust and sand at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Moderate rain is defined as 5–9 mm per hour and may be accompanied by winds of up to 60 km/h, significantly reduced visibility and the possibility of flash floods.

Heavy rain is classified as rainfall of 10–50 mm per hour or more and may be accompanied by winds reaching 60 km/h or higher, flash floods, hail, high waves along coastal areas and the possibility of tornadoes or waterspouts.

The NCM’s preliminary outlook indicates that rainfall may continue in some affected areas through the end of next week.

Source:Saudi Gazette