Rain heralds winter in Riyadh with people by and large remaining

The overnight downpour, which continued on Friday, substantially dipped mercury levels heralding the onset of winter in the capital and its outskirts with people by and large remaining indoors or coming out in winter clothes.
The skies remained overcast in the capital throughout the day on Friday, with intermittent rain. Traffic problems were reported on some roads.
Eyewitnesses reported three road accidents on the airport road, near exits 13 and 18 on Al-Kharj Road.
Receiving calls through the helpline, police also visited sites where vehicles were stalled and helped remove them from the sites. The traffic police advised motorists to drive slowly as slippery roads could cause accidents.
The minimum temperature dived to 9°Celsius, the lowest so far this season.
The General Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) issued a few days back an alert about inclement weather over the weekend.
According to the PME forecast, more rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, is likely to lash the Riyadh, Eastern Province and Al-Baha regions during the next 24 hours, while thundershowers are expected in the highland regions of Asir, Qassim and Jazan.
Taking note of the forecast, the US Embassy in Riyadh also issued a message to caution Americans living in the Kingdom.
“This message is being sent out in response to reports of potentially serious weather across Saudi Arabia this week. Heavy rainfall, high winds and rough seas may strike various areas across the country. PME has predicted that weather conditions, characterized by heavy rains, are expected across several cities and regions, including Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Riyadh, Hail, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Qassim, Al-Baha, Asir, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Border Region,” the statement on the embassy website said.
The Directorate General of Civil Defense also issued an alert about the inclement weather that will continue through Tuesday.
Nevertheless, city dwellers were happy with the change in weather and were enjoying the tryst with winter after the summer season of searing heat and scorching sunshine.
“I am enjoying the weather. It is indeed a welcome change in the climate heralding the onset of winter,” said Mohammad Zeyad, an event organizer in the capital.
Mohammad Abdallah, who lives in the Um Al-Hammam area of the city, said: “I am enjoying the weekend weather. Hopefully, the scorching summer season is behind us now.”
The capital experienced a substantial decline in the maximum temperature which was recorded at 17° Celsius. The mercury level is expected to fall further by several degrees in the next 24 hours.

Source: Arab News