Saudi Arabia Weather Alert: Red Warning for Heavy Rain and Flash Floods in Al-Baha

The Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology on Tuesday, September 22, has issued a red weather alert for Al-Baha due to heavy rain and possibly dangerous weather conditions. The NCM’s hourly forecast also mentions thunderstorms with some hail and winds to be active in Al-Baha and other southwest regions today.

The current NCM warning is for multiple areas in Al-Baha, including areas in Al-Mandaq and all affected governorates. The alerts are for Sept. 22, and residents are urged to keep in tune with the official announcements as they are made.

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Heavy Rain and Flash-Flood Risks

The red warning information means that a hazardous weather event exists that is expected to happen or is already happening. According to NCM, a red alert means that there is a severe weather condition or flooding and residents are urged to abide by the orders issued by the Civil Defence.

Conditions forecast are moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of producing flooding runoff, hail and strong winds that can blow down structures and cause visibility problems and blow up to dust fields. This can pose specific dangers in valleys, low-lying regions and mountain highways.

Weather Alert Extends Across Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Unstable weather conditions do not only occur in Al-Baha. NCM predicts moderate to heavy thunderstorms and hazards activity over the following hours over specific parts of Jazan and Asir and parts of Makkah, Madinah and other regions with further notifications.

Currently, there are several red warnings for Al-Baha region and one orange alert for moderate rain across the region, indicating difference in intensity in different areas.

Civil Defence Safety Measures

Avoiding valleys, flood prone areas and places where water has gathered, residents and motorists should avoid these areas. It is against the law to drive through flooded road surfaces and drivers should slow down on wet roads, roads cloaked in rain, dust, or poor visibility conditions.

It is important to pay attention to official NCM and Civil Defence information since in extreme thunderstorms the weather may rapidly change.