Rounds of rain, thunderstorms return to flood-ravaged Middle East
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Apr 3, 2020 11:45 AM EST
Derik, Syria, on April 3, was flooded due to heavy rainfall. These photos were shot by Felix Anton, you can find him on https://twitter.com/FelixDerik.
The unsettled pattern that persisted across the Middle East during the month of March is forecast to continue through the beginning of April.
The month of April has already kicked off with another round of rainfall for parts of eastern Turkey and and far northern Syria. A small but potent storm drenched the region on Friday.
A strong thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall, gusty winds, frequent lightning and hail to the parts of Syria on Friday, and flood waters swept over the area.
This storm is forecast to continue tracking across the region through the weekend, bringing periods of rain and thunderstorms to far northern Iraq and northern Iran.
These areas have also been hit hard by flooding in recent weeks, and any additional rainfall can allow flooding to reoccur.
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Thunderstorms will also increase the risk of flash flooding across the region this weekend. However, flooding downpours will not be the only threat. Any storms that develop can also bring gusty winds, frequent lightning and hail.
In areas that are dry, winds may also become strong enough to create dust storms.
The stormy pattern looks to continue into next week as another storm is forecast to move through the area on Monday and Tuesday.
While the heaviest rain will be largely confined to eastern Turkey and northern Iran, any isolated showers can cause localized flooding.
Rain that falls in higher elevations can swell rivers as water collects downstream, which can increase flood risk even if it remains dry in that location.
The ongoing flood threat will add another layer to the battle against the coronavirus in the region.
The integrity of any temporary structures built to help treat patients will be threatened by any gusty winds and thunderstorms.
People displaced by floodwaters and landslides can be placed in temporary housing where it will could be nearly impossible to practice proper distancing.
The second storm will exit the region by the middle of the week, but showers and thunderstorms may continue to linger over these same areas, further adding to the flooding.
While floods developed across the region throughout the month, a late-March storm brought flooding and severe weather to the region.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Severe Weather
Rounds of rain, thunderstorms return to flood-ravaged Middle East
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Apr 3, 2020 11:45 AM EST
Derik, Syria, on April 3, was flooded due to heavy rainfall. These photos were shot by Felix Anton, you can find him on https://twitter.com/FelixDerik.
The unsettled pattern that persisted across the Middle East during the month of March is forecast to continue through the beginning of April.
The month of April has already kicked off with another round of rainfall for parts of eastern Turkey and and far northern Syria. A small but potent storm drenched the region on Friday.
A strong thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall, gusty winds, frequent lightning and hail to the parts of Syria on Friday, and flood waters swept over the area.
This storm is forecast to continue tracking across the region through the weekend, bringing periods of rain and thunderstorms to far northern Iraq and northern Iran.
These areas have also been hit hard by flooding in recent weeks, and any additional rainfall can allow flooding to reoccur.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Thunderstorms will also increase the risk of flash flooding across the region this weekend. However, flooding downpours will not be the only threat. Any storms that develop can also bring gusty winds, frequent lightning and hail.
In areas that are dry, winds may also become strong enough to create dust storms.
The stormy pattern looks to continue into next week as another storm is forecast to move through the area on Monday and Tuesday.
While the heaviest rain will be largely confined to eastern Turkey and northern Iran, any isolated showers can cause localized flooding.
Rain that falls in higher elevations can swell rivers as water collects downstream, which can increase flood risk even if it remains dry in that location.
Related:
The ongoing flood threat will add another layer to the battle against the coronavirus in the region.
The integrity of any temporary structures built to help treat patients will be threatened by any gusty winds and thunderstorms.
People displaced by floodwaters and landslides can be placed in temporary housing where it will could be nearly impossible to practice proper distancing.
The second storm will exit the region by the middle of the week, but showers and thunderstorms may continue to linger over these same areas, further adding to the flooding.
While floods developed across the region throughout the month, a late-March storm brought flooding and severe weather to the region.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo