Northern Saudi Arabia experienced significant weather fluctuations on Thursday evening, with moderate to heavy rainfall in the Tarf governorate and its surrounding areas in the Northern Borders region. This resulted in the flow of some wadis and the saturation of the land. Simultaneously, light rain fell in the Al-Qurayyat governorate in the Al-Jawf region, affecting several of its districts. The possibility of further rainfall remains in the coming hours, God willing.
Warnings of a dense fog wave in Al-Jawf
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology issued an important warning regarding a fog wave affecting the Al-Jawf region, with varying intensity. The fog is expected to impact the city of Sakaka and the governorates of Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal. The center explained in its report that this weather condition will lead to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially reaching near-zero visibility (1 to 3 km) in some areas. The center indicated that the fog is expected to persist until 10:00 AM on Friday.
The climatic and geographical context of the northern regions
The Al-Jawf and Northern Borders regions serve as the northern gateway to the Kingdom for cold air fronts arriving from the north and northwest. During winter and seasonal transitions, these areas experience fluctuating weather, with temperatures significantly lower than in other parts of the Kingdom. Fog is a frequent occurrence in these regions during the night and early morning hours, resulting from high relative humidity and the cooling of the ground surface, necessitating constant vigilance.
Environmental and agricultural importance of rainfall
These rains, despite their varying intensity, are of paramount importance to the vegetation and agricultural sector in northern Saudi Arabia. The Al-Jawf region, known as a "breadbasket" and renowned for its olive and date palm cultivation, relies heavily on rainfall to replenish groundwater reserves and irrigate crops. Furthermore, the saturation of the land in the Tarf governorate and surrounding areas promises a bountiful spring season for natural pastures, which will positively impact livestock breeders and wildlife in these vast desert regions.
Public safety recommendations
Due to the current weather conditions and the forecast of continued fog until Friday morning, weather experts and relevant authorities advise drivers on the highways connecting Tarif, Qurayyat, and Sakaka to exercise extreme caution. This includes reducing speed, using fog lights, and maintaining a safe following distance, especially since dense fog is a major cause of traffic accidents at this time of year.
