Stormy weather to continue its grip on the Middle East this week
A time-lapse captured a rain cloud sweeping across the desert in the Mecca Region of Saudi Arabia, on April 5.
More unsettled weather is expected across parts of the Middle East this week as some areas continue to endure devastating flooding.
The death toll in Iran stands at 70 following several weeks of flooding that have affected most of the country, according to BBC News.
More than one third of the country's roadways have been damaged or destroyed by the flooding.
While widespread rainfall is not expected in the coming days, localized downpours are possible as showers and thunderstorms develop each day.
Locations across southwest and northern Iran will be the most likely to have thunderstorms capable of producing additional flooding problems.
Vehicles are piled up on a street after a flash flood in the southern city of Shiraz, Iran, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Amin Berenjkar/Mehr News Agency)
A few heavy thunderstorms will also target northern and eastern Iraq as well as eastern Turkey the next several days.
Locations in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq will be at greatest risk for flooding on Wednesday, while that risk will shift into eastern Iraq and western Iran on Thursday and Friday.
The threat for heavy rainfall and flooding will shift into central and eastern Iran this weekend.
Downpours will first spread into southern Iran on Saturday before drenching all of southern and eastern Iran Saturday night into Sunday. Rainfall amounts of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) are expected with locally higher amounts possible.
Satellite image of the Middle East showing showers and thunderstorms affecting Saudi Arabia and Iran on Tuesday.
Farther south and west, there will also be a risk for flash flooding from thunderstorms in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Locally severe thunderstorms may strike from Kuwait to Riyadh and surrounding parts of eastern and central Saudi Arabia both Thursday and Friday.
These storms will be capable of producing flash flooding, hail and blinding dust storms.
By Saturday, the risk for severe thunderstorms will shift into southeast Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and northern Oman.
Flash flooding will be a significant concern for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Doha, and Muscat from Saturday into Saturday night. Lingering downpours may affect Muscat and northern Oman on Sunday.
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