The Meteorology Department warns of winds and dust storms across large areas of Saudi Arabia
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a weather warning regarding expected surface winds that will stir up dust and sand, with their effects beginning next Sunday in several regions. The center explained that this weather condition may lead to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially reaching near-zero visibility in some areas, thus requiring caution.
According to forecasts, the storm will begin affecting the Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Tabuk regions, including their coastal areas, on Sunday. The center urged residents of these areas and drivers to exercise extreme caution due to potential hazards on highways and in open areas.
Climatic context and recurrence of the phenomenon
Dust storms and strong winds are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula in general, due to its vast desert landscape. These phenomena increase in frequency during the transitional periods between seasons, particularly in spring and autumn, when changes in atmospheric pressure systems generate strong winds capable of carrying enormous quantities of sand and dust over long distances. The northerly winds, known locally as "North Winds," play a key role in forming these dust storms, which affect air quality and daily life.
Expected effects and the importance of warnings
The anticipated effects of this weather system extend across multiple sectors. From a health perspective, asthma, respiratory, and allergy sufferers are advised to take extra precautions, such as staying indoors as much as possible, keeping windows tightly closed, and wearing masks when going out. Regarding transportation, reduced visibility poses a significant risk to road safety and could lead to accidents. Air traffic at airports within the storm's range may also be affected, potentially resulting in flight delays or reschedulings.
The extent of temporal and geographical influence
The National Center for Meteorology indicated that the effects of this weather system will gradually extend from Monday to Wednesday, encompassing wider areas, including the Makkah and Madinah regions and their coastal areas, as well as parts of the Qassim, Hail, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions. This expansion underscores the necessity of continuously monitoring weather bulletins issued by official authorities and adhering to instructions to ensure public safety. The Center's role comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to raise public awareness of weather hazards and provide accurate information that contributes to protecting lives and property.
