The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather conditions for Tuesday, warning of varying intensities of weather fluctuations affecting large areas of the Kingdom. The report included warnings about the formation of dense fog leading to zero or near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of eight major regions, in addition to a cold wave affecting the northern regions.
Details of the fog and reduced visibility
The center explained that the fog phenomenon varies in intensity from light to moderate to dense, persisting until 8:00 AM in some areas and extending until 9:00 AM in others. Forecasts indicate that the accompanying effects will include a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, while in other locations the fog will intensify, reducing visibility to between 1 and 3 kilometers, and potentially causing it to become completely obscured (less than 1 kilometer) in areas of dense fog. This necessitates caution for those traveling on highways and open roads.
Areas and cities affected by fog
The alert included a wide range of cities and provinces in the following regions:
- Eastern Province: Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, and Ras Tanura.
- Makkah Region: Al-Ardiyat, Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turabah, Ranyah, Al-Qunfudhah, Al-Lith, Taif, and Maysan.
- Medina: Al-Rais and Yanbu.
- Jazan region: Al Darb, Bish, Al Harth, Al Dayer, Al Reeth, Al Ardah, Al Eidabi, Fifa, Haroub, Abu Arish, Ahad Al Masarihah, Al Tuwal, Al Fatihah, Samtah, Sabya, Damad, Jazan City, and Farasan Island.
- Asir region: Al Majardah, Bariq, Rijal Alma, Mahayil, Al Birk, Al Qahmah, Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Khamis Mushait, Al Namas, Balqarn, and Tanomah.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha city, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
- Northern borders: Al-Uwaiqilah, Rafha, Arar, and Tarif.
- Al-Jawf region: Dumat Al-Jandal, Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal.
A cold wave and frost in the north of the Kingdom
a cold wave affecting three northern regions, beginning at 1:00 AM and continuing until 8:00 AM. This weather system impacts the regions of Tabuk, the Northern Borders, and Al-Jawf . Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, ranging between 0°C and 3°C, with a high probability of frost, particularly in high-altitude and open areas such as Jabal Al-Lawz and Al-Aqan in Tabuk, Hazm Al-Jalamid and Tarif in the Northern Borders, and Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal in Al-Jawf.
The importance of alerts and the role of meteorology
These alerts are of paramount importance to ensure the safety of citizens and residents, as the National Center for Meteorology is the official body authorized to monitor the weather and issue early warnings in the Kingdom. These weather fluctuations are part of the typical winter climate in the Arabian Peninsula, with northern regions affected by cold air masses from the north, while coastal and mountainous areas are impacted by high humidity levels that form fog. Experts always advise following official bulletins and avoiding speeding on roads during periods of dense fog to ensure road safety.
