Storm to unload heavy rain, mountain snow across Middle East
By
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 8, 2020 6:59 PM EDT
A potent storm system brought impactful weather to millions of people from parts of the Arabian Peninsula to Pakistan late last week and through the weekend.
The storm brought flooding to parts of Greece, Turkey, Syria and Israel during the second half of last week.
The storm got underway on Thursday with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms from eastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and far northern Oman into southern Iran.
Rounds of rain continued throughout the same region into Saturday.
The heaviest rain arrived across United Arab Emirates, far northern Oman and southeastern Iran late on Friday and continued into Saturday.
Widespread rainfall totals reached between 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) from Thursday to Sunday across the Middle East.
As of late Saturday, local time, Dubai, UAE, reported 2.35 inches and Muscat, Oman, reported 1.64 inches.
This magnitude of rainfall in this region caused severe flooding and increased the risk for mudslides in areas of rugged terrain.
Flash flooding in Qeshm, Iran, closed passengers ports due to rainfall on Friday.
Locations from Doha to Dubai and Muscat typically average 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) of rainfall for an entire year.
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Locally heavy rainfall also spread across the lower elevations of Afghanistan and southwestern Pakistan through the end of the weekend increasing the risk of flooding in these areas.
At least eight people have died to the heavy rainfall with reports of more fatalities across the region.
Rainfall gradually diminished as the storm pushed eastward with only a few showers in Islamabad and Karachi on Sunday night.
This storm also produced heavy snow across higher elevations from Iran into Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.
The heaviest snowfall was focused across Pakistan where some locations in central and western parts of the country were expected to receive more than 1 meter (39 inches) of snowfall.
As of Saturday, severe cold ushered into the area has been blamed for 4 deaths in Ghazni, Afghanistan.
Travel became dangerous throughout the weekend as the storm unleashed a prolonged period of heavy snowfall, increasing the risk for avalanches.
Snowfall accumulations of 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) will be possible in Kabul with more than 30 cm (12 inches) in the nearby mountains.
Heavy snow spread across northern Afghanistan and northern India late Saturday into Sunday.
Significant travel disruptions were reported across the region as areas of heavy rain and snow closed roadways.
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News / Severe Weather
Storm to unload heavy rain, mountain snow across Middle East
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 8, 2020 6:59 PM EDT
A potent storm system brought impactful weather to millions of people from parts of the Arabian Peninsula to Pakistan late last week and through the weekend.
The storm brought flooding to parts of Greece, Turkey, Syria and Israel during the second half of last week.
The storm got underway on Thursday with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms from eastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and far northern Oman into southern Iran.
Rounds of rain continued throughout the same region into Saturday.
The heaviest rain arrived across United Arab Emirates, far northern Oman and southeastern Iran late on Friday and continued into Saturday.
Widespread rainfall totals reached between 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) from Thursday to Sunday across the Middle East.
As of late Saturday, local time, Dubai, UAE, reported 2.35 inches and Muscat, Oman, reported 1.64 inches.
This magnitude of rainfall in this region caused severe flooding and increased the risk for mudslides in areas of rugged terrain.
Flash flooding in Qeshm, Iran, closed passengers ports due to rainfall on Friday.
Locations from Doha to Dubai and Muscat typically average 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) of rainfall for an entire year.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Locally heavy rainfall also spread across the lower elevations of Afghanistan and southwestern Pakistan through the end of the weekend increasing the risk of flooding in these areas.
At least eight people have died to the heavy rainfall with reports of more fatalities across the region.
Rainfall gradually diminished as the storm pushed eastward with only a few showers in Islamabad and Karachi on Sunday night.
This storm also produced heavy snow across higher elevations from Iran into Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.
The heaviest snowfall was focused across Pakistan where some locations in central and western parts of the country were expected to receive more than 1 meter (39 inches) of snowfall.
As of Saturday, severe cold ushered into the area has been blamed for 4 deaths in Ghazni, Afghanistan.
Travel became dangerous throughout the weekend as the storm unleashed a prolonged period of heavy snowfall, increasing the risk for avalanches.
Snowfall accumulations of 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) will be possible in Kabul with more than 30 cm (12 inches) in the nearby mountains.
Heavy snow spread across northern Afghanistan and northern India late Saturday into Sunday.
Significant travel disruptions were reported across the region as areas of heavy rain and snow closed roadways.
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