Hassan Karani passes away... The departure of a weather forecasting icon in Saudi Arabia

On Friday, the esteemed media figure and veteran meteorologist Hassan Karani passed away after a battle with illness, bringing to a close a remarkable career spanning decades, during which he was a daily companion to citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Saudi television.

Exceptional career

The late Hassan Karani was one of the most prominent pioneers of specialized media work in the Kingdom, his name forever linked to the memory of the "golden generation" of Saudi television. Karani was not merely a weather forecaster; he was a specialist who directly contributed to establishing and developing the concept of weather forecasting in the Arab world. He was distinguished by his unique style, which combined scientific accuracy with simple, accessible language, making the weather segment on the nine o'clock news a fixed time eagerly awaited by Saudi families for many years.

From the halls of science to the television screen

Historically, Hassan Karani was among the first Saudi professionals to receive academic training in meteorology. He received his education and specialized training in the United States, returning to the Kingdom with scientific expertise that he applied to the meteorological sector. The late Karani worked to transform complex climate data and static weather maps into easily understandable information, using tools considered advanced at the time, ranging from paper maps and posters to the beginnings of television graphics.

“Thank you for listening” icon

The name Hassan Karani cannot be mentioned without recalling his famous closing phrase, etched in the memories of millions: “Thank you for listening… With best wishes .” This sentence was not merely the conclusion of a weather forecast; over time, it transformed into a refrain associated with calm and reassurance, becoming part of the local cultural and media heritage. With his quiet charisma and melodious voice, Karani succeeded in building a bridge of trust and affection with viewers during an era when Saudi Channel One was the primary and sole source of information before the internet and smartphone revolution.

A societal impact that goes beyond the screen

The importance of Hassan Karani's role lay in his being the trusted source of information for Saudi society during times of weather fluctuations, rain, and varying seasons. In an era when such sources were scarce, his appearance meant certainty about the weather, directly impacting people's daily lives, from planning desert trips to preparing for school and work. With his passing, the Saudi media landscape loses a prominent figure, a symbol of a bygone era who will remain present in the hearts of all who knew him.