Weather forecast for Arafat Day: Winds and dust in 11 regions of the Kingdom
Introduction to the importance of monitoring the weather on the Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is considered the most important pillar of Hajj, when millions of Muslims from around the world gather at the sacred site of Arafat. Historically, the Saudi Arabian government has always paid close attention to weather conditions during the Hajj season, given their direct impact on the health and safety of the pilgrims. Weather forecasts play a crucial role in helping authorities manage crowds and provide necessary care, especially in light of potential weather changes such as strong winds or dust storms, which necessitate early preparation to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.
Weather conditions and active winds details
In this context, the National Center for Meteorology, in its detailed report on the weather on the Day of Arafah (Tuesday), predicted the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand across large parts of the Kingdom. This weather pattern includes 11 major regions: Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders. The effects of these surface winds also extend to parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Najran regions, reaching even the eastern parts of the Asir and Al-Baha regions. This wind activity requires pilgrims and those working in the Hajj to take precautions to ensure the smooth flow of the rituals and the safety of everyone in the camps.
Maritime navigation situation: Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed the conditions in the Red Sea, indicating that surface winds are expected to be northwesterly to northerly at speeds ranging from 25 to 50 kilometers per hour in the northern and central parts. Meanwhile, winds are expected to be northwesterly to westerly at speeds of 15 to 32 kilometers per hour in the southern part. This will be accompanied by wave heights ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in the northern and central parts, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions, and from 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the southern part, resulting in calm to moderate sea conditions.
Moving to the Arabian Gulf, forecasts indicate that surface winds will be northerly to northwesterly in the northern and central parts, and northwesterly to southwesterly in the southern part, with speeds ranging from 12 to 32 kilometers per hour. Wave height will be between half a meter and one and a half meters, resulting in calm to moderate sea conditions, which are considered relatively stable.
Efforts of the National Center for Meteorology in Arafat
To ensure the highest standards of accuracy in monitoring the weather on the Day of Arafah, Dr. Turki Habibullah, General Supervisor of Hajj and Umrah Operations at the National Center of Meteorology, confirmed that the center is monitoring the weather conditions in Arafat around the clock. This is achieved through an integrated system of modern technologies, including advanced weather radars, high-resolution satellite imagery, and automated and manned stations. In addition, mobile stations are used to measure the upper atmosphere, effectively contributing to providing real-time and accurate readings that meet the requirements of field teams.
Expected impact of weather conditions on pilgrims
These tremendous efforts in monitoring the weather on the Day of Arafah have a significant impact both locally and internationally. Locally, this precise data enables security, health, and civil defense authorities to deploy their personnel and prepare camps according to wind speed and dust levels. Internationally, these proactive measures reflect the Kingdom's commitment to harnessing all its technical and human resources to serve pilgrims arriving from all corners of the earth, ensuring they can perform their rituals in a safe and stable environment and enhancing the success of the Hajj season's operational plans.
