The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an urgent alert regarding the expected weather conditions for Friday, warning of a wave of fog of varying intensity that may reach high density, directly affecting horizontal visibility in large parts of the Kingdom, including 10 administrative regions.
The center explained in its report that the effects accompanying this weather condition are a decrease in horizontal visibility to range between (3-5) kilometers in some locations, while other locations may witness almost no visibility (1-3) kilometers, reaching a complete lack of visibility (less than one kilometer) in the most affected areas, which calls for caution and vigilance on the roads.
Areas and cities affected by the weather conditions
The alert included a detailed list of affected cities and governorates, which are as follows:
- Eastern Province: Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, Abqaiq, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya.
- Riyadh Region: Riyadh (the capital), Diriyah, Zulfi, Ghat, Majmaah, Shaqra, Thadiq, Huraymila, Rumah, Dhurma, and Marat.
- Asir region: Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Khamis Mushait, Sarat Abidah, Al Majardah, Rijal Alma, Mahayil, Al Harjah, Al Rabwah, Al Farsha, and Dhahran Al Janoub.
- Tabuk region: Tabuk city and Tayma.
- Al-Jawf region: Sakaka, Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal.
- Northern borders: Arar, Rafha, and Al-Uwaiqilah.
- Hail region: Hail city, Al-Shanan, Baqaa, Samira, Al-Hait, Al-Sulaimi, Al-Shamli, Al-Ghazala, and Muwaqq.
- Al-Qassim region: Buraidah, Unaizah, Ar-Rass, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Mudhnib, and many other governorates.
- Jazan region: Jazan, Sabya, Abu Arish, and the mountainous and coastal governorates belonging to it.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Baha city, Baljurashi, Al-Mandaq, and surrounding villages.
Climate context and the importance of early warnings
This weather pattern is part of the typical climatic shifts the Kingdom experiences during winter and seasonal transitions. Fog usually forms due to high relative humidity combined with low minimum temperatures at night and in the early morning, leading to condensation of water vapor near the Earth's surface. These phenomena are part of the Arabian Peninsula's climatic system during this time of year.
These warnings are of paramount importance due to their direct impact on public safety, particularly traffic safety on the highways connecting the Kingdom's far-flung regions. Relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, are working in constant coordination with the National Center for Meteorology to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimize risks arising from poor visibility.
In such weather conditions, experts advise using vehicle fog lights and avoiding high beams, which may obstruct visibility due to light reflecting off water droplets. They also recommend leaving a sufficient safety distance between vehicles to ensure safe stopping in emergencies.
