The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has revealed details of the expected weather conditions, which include sharp fluctuations and significant temperature variations across the Kingdom. The report highlights a noticeable drop in minimum temperatures, with lows expected to reach as low as 1 degree Celsius in some northern regions, indicating a cold wave that warrants caution.
Climatic variation and geographical influences
Saudi Arabia is characterized by its vast geographical area and diverse topography, resulting in a clear variation in the climatic systems that affect it. While northern regions such as Rafha and Tarif experience near-freezing temperatures (1 and 2 degrees Celsius, respectively) due to the influence of cold air masses from the north, western coastal areas such as Mecca and Jeddah maintain warm temperatures, reaching highs of 33 degrees Celsius. This climatic diversity reflects the continental nature of the interior and northern regions compared to the humid coastal nature of the western regions.
Rainfall and weather phenomena map
According to available data, the weather conditions include not only a drop in temperature but also widespread moderate to heavy rainfall. Rain is expected in the regions of Hail, Tabuk, Arar, Sakaka, Al-Ula, Al-Wajh, Hafr Al-Batin, and the Ad-Dahna and As-Saman deserts. This rainfall is often accompanied by flash floods in valleys and streams, urging residents and travelers on highways to exercise extreme caution and avoid flood-prone areas.
Temperature details in major cities
The data showed a significant variation in the recorded temperatures:
- Central and Eastern Region: Riyadh records a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius with partly cloudy skies and dust haze, while Dammam records a minimum of 7 degrees.
- Northern regions (coldest): Rafha recorded the lowest expected temperature of 1 degree Celsius, followed by Tarif and Arar at 2 degrees Celsius, which calls for the use of appropriate heating methods and following safety guidelines.
- Western and southern regions: Makkah and Jeddah are experiencing active winds and dust storms with daytime temperatures in the thirties, while the highlands in Abha, Al-Baha and Taif are affected by thunderstorms and relatively cold weather at night.
The importance of following weather forecasts
These reports are of paramount importance to citizens and residents for organizing their daily lives, especially regarding transportation and travel between cities. Warnings of strong winds and dust storms in areas such as Jazan, Al-Qunfudhah, and Riyadh indicate the possibility of reduced horizontal visibility, which directly impacts land navigation. In such conditions, relevant authorities consistently emphasize the need to heed early warnings and adhere to Civil Defense instructions to ensure public safety.
