JEDDAH: Weather experts expect the scorching temperatures to continue across several parts of the country, with the mercury likely to top 50 degrees Celsius in some places.

The extreme conditions have made this one of the hottest summers on record in the Kingdom, according to experts. There would be further intense weather in central and eastern areas until Thursday.

On Monday, there was continued hot conditions, with mild weather in the mountainous areas and high humidity along the coast, experts said. There was an increased chance of heavy rainfall and dusty winds later this week along the Red Sea coast.

According to global climate models, high temperatures are expected to plague the Arabian Gulf and Middle East until October. These models, based on current available data, suggest temperatures higher than average due to a significant decline in the speed of surface winds and low atmospheric pressure.

Salman Al-Ramadan, an astronomy researcher, said hot weather would continue in the Eastern Province for about 60 days, with wind and moisture, which may turn to fog in the mornings, and warmer temperatures during the day.

He said Monday marked the beginning of the Sohail season, which signals the beginning of the end of summer and the return to moderate temperatures. The Sohail star, also called Suhail Al-Saferi, is the second brightest star in the sky and the seventh and last of the summer stars.