{
  "id": 8383521,
  "title": "Heavy thunderstorms and flash floods forecast for several Saudi regions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/heavy-thunderstorms-and-flash-floods-forecast-for-several-saudi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T04:48:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/saudi-arabia/fgwcn7fg7"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Center for Meteorology has issued warnings of heavy thunderstorms, flash floods, and strong winds across several regions in Saudi Arabia. This hazardous weather is expected to impact southern and western parts of the country on Saturday. The forecasted thunderstorms may bring about flash floods, hail showers, and gusty winds capable of raising dust and sand. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also anticipated in certain areas of Madinah and Najran. Along the coastal regions of Makkah, Madinah, and the Eastern Province, fog formation is possible during the overnight and early morning hours.\n\nSurface winds over the Red Sea are predicted to blow from northwesterly to northerly directions at speeds ranging between 20 and 42 kilometers per hour. This wind pattern is expected to shift to westerly and northwesterly directions during the afternoon, with wind speeds between 12 and 42 kilometers per hour. In some instances, these winds may exceed 50 kilometers per hour during thunderstorms. The wave heights in the Red Sea are expected to fluctuate between half a meter and one and a half meters, with occasional waves reaching up to two meters during periods of thunderstorms. Sea conditions will be slight to moderate, but may become rough at times.\n\nIn the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will generally be southeasterly to southwesterly, ranging from 10 to 25 kilometers per hour. These winds are forecast to turn northerly to northeasterly at speeds between 8 and 25 kilometers per hour. Waves in the Arabian Gulf are projected to increase from half a meter to one meter, accompanied by slightly rough sea conditions.",
  "summary": "The National Center for Meteorology warns of heavy thunderstorms, possible flash floods, and strong winds in southern and western Saudi Arabia today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Heavy thunderstorms and flash floods forecast for Saudi Arabia regions",
    "Surface winds in Red Sea range 20-42 km/h, may exceed 50 km/h",
    "Sea conditions slight to moderate, may become rough during storms"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Residents in southern and western Saudi Arabia face heightened risks of flash floods and hazardous travel conditions due to forecasted thunderstorms, strong winds, and reduced visibility from fog and dust.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}