Meteorology: Chances of thunderstorms over Mecca and the holy sites starting from the Day of Arafah

The National Center for Meteorology issued its weather forecast for the Hajj season of 1447 AH in Makkah and the Holy Sites, predicting hot to very hot weather, accompanied by active winds that stir up dust and sand at times, in addition to the possibility of thunderstorms.

Extremely hot weather will continue until the Day of Tarwiyah.

The center explained that the maximum temperatures in Mecca and the holy sites will range between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius until the Day of Tarwiyah, amidst mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, and surface winds are expected to stir up dust and sand, especially during daylight hours.

Possible thunderstorms starting from the Day of Arafah

The center indicated that, starting from the day of Arafah, a slight decrease in temperatures is expected, ranging between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius, with an increased chance of thunderstorms forming over the Taif highlands, the effects of which may extend towards the holy sites, accompanied by active winds and gusts that may stir up dust and sand due to the downdrafts from the thunderstorms.