The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions on Friday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, revealing that the Kingdom’s atmosphere is affected by a cold air mass that will lead to a noticeable decrease in temperatures, which calls for taking precautions, especially in the northern and central regions.
Weather details and cold wave
According to the official statement issued by the Meteorology Department, the Kingdom is experiencing cold to very cold , with this cold wave primarily affecting the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Hail, and Al-Qassim regions. The impact of the cold wave is not limited to the north; it also extends to parts of the Riyadh and Madinah regions, as well as the mountainous areas of Makkah and Al-Baha.
This drop in temperatures coincides with the usual climatic conditions at this time of year, as the Kingdom is affected by Siberian high-pressure systems or polar air masses that contribute to the formation of frost, which the center warned against, pointing to the possibility of fog and frost during the night and early morning hours in parts of the nine regions mentioned, which may lead to a decrease in horizontal visibility.
Surface winds and raised dust
In a related development, the meteorological department warned of continued surface wind activity that may stir up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility, especially on highways and in open areas. This activity includes parts of the Northern Borders, Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and extends to the western and northwestern parts of the Kingdom. Visibility may reach near-zero levels in some coastal areas, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution.
There remains a chance of scattered thunderstorms over the southern parts of the Eastern Province, adding another element to the unstable weather conditions in that region.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed wave and wind patterns in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf:
- The Red Sea: Surface winds are northwesterly to northeasterly, with speeds ranging from 25-50 km/h in the northern and central parts, and from 18-37 km/h in the south. Wave heights range from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in the north and central regions, making sea conditions rough, while they are slight to moderate in the south.
- The Arabian Gulf is experiencing rough seas with northwesterly to westerly winds reaching speeds of over 60 km/h, accompanied by thunderstorms and rain. Waves are expected to reach heights of over 2.5 meters, creating choppy conditions. A warning is advised for seafarers and fishermen.
The relevant authorities are calling on citizens and residents to follow weather reports regularly, wear heavy winter clothing in areas affected by extreme cold, and adhere to traffic safety instructions while driving in foggy or dusty conditions.
