Red alert for heavy rain and flash floods in four Saudi regions

Saudi Arabia's National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a red alert for heavy rain and possible flash floods across four regions of the kingdom. The highest-level warning covers parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah, where thunderstorms have been forecast.

The weather centre issued the alert on Sunday (October 18), according to a report published by Gulf News. Heavy rain is relatively rare in the desert kingdom, but in recent years flash flooding has caused loss of life and property in several regions of the country.

The centre said the warned regions could see moderate to heavy thundery rain, accompanied by hail and strong winds. Gusty winds may also whip up dust and sandstorms, adding to the disruption for residents.

Heavy rainfall could raise the risk of sudden flooding in low-lying areas and in valleys running down from the highlands, the centre warned. Residents of areas prone to heavy rain have been advised to stay alert.

Fog has also been forecast for parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah. Visibility may drop along the coast of the Eastern Province as well, which could affect road and maritime traffic.

Despite the rain forecast, temperatures will remain high in many Saudi cities. Dammam could see a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius, while Makkah is forecast at 39 degrees and Riyadh and Buraidah at 38 degrees.

Madinah's maximum temperature could reach 37 degrees Celsius, with Jeddah and Jazan at 36 degrees. Hail is forecast at 33 degrees, Arar, Sakaka and Najran at 32 degrees, and Tabuk at 28 degrees.

The southwestern highlands, however, will stay comparatively cool. Abha's maximum could be 25 degrees Celsius and Al-Baha's 24 degrees—even though several of those same areas are also under the heavy rain warning.

Humidity will also vary sharply by region. It could reach 90 percent in Abha, Al-Baha and Jazan, 85 percent in Jeddah and Dammam, and 80 percent in Makkah.

Tabuk, Arar and Sakaka could see humidity of 70 percent, Madinah and Hail 55 percent, Riyadh and Najran 35 percent, and Buraidah 30 percent, according to the forecast.

With the risk of flash floods in place, the weather centre has urged people in heavy-rain areas to remain cautious and to follow any further instructions issued by the authorities as the situation develops.