Emergency crews on standby as 90% humidity and storms hit Mecca, Asir highlands

Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) issued red alerts for four regions on Sunday, 18 October, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms that may trigger flash floods. The emergency warnings cover parts of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, and Mecca, where meteorologists expect moderate to heavy downpours accompanied by hail and high-speed winds. Flash flood and visibility risks The NCM forecast indicates that unstable weather conditions will persist throughout Sunday, with heavy rainfall increasing the risk of sudden flooding in valleys and low-lying areas. Strong winds associated with the storm cells are expected to stir up dust and sand, significantly reducing horizontal visibility for motorists. The weather bureau also warned of dense fog in coastal areas of the Eastern Province and the mountainous sectors of the four affected regions. Regional temperature and humidity variations Despite the storm warnings, temperatures remain high across the kingdom’s urban centres. Dammam recorded the highest forecast temperature at 42°C, while Mecca reached 39°C. Riyadh and Buraidah both saw highs of 38°C, with Madinah at 37°C and Jeddah at 36°C. In contrast, the southwestern highlands offer cooler conditions, with Abha and Al Baha reaching 25°C and 24°C, respectively. Humidity levels are projected to peak at 90 per cent in Abha, Al Baha, and Jazan, while coastal hubs Jeddah and Dammam are expected to reach 85 per cent. The NCM issued the red alerts on Sunday following a sequence…