The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced weather alert for the Riyadh region on Tuesday, warning that the capital and surrounding provinces will be affected by a dust storm and strong winds, expected to continue until 9:00 PM. The center explained that these weather conditions will lead to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, necessitating caution.
General context of weather phenomena in the region
Dust and sandstorms are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia and many other countries in the Arabian Peninsula, due to their geography, which is dominated by vast deserts such as the Rub' al Khali and the Great Nafud. These storms increase in frequency during certain times of the year, particularly in spring and summer, when surface winds known locally as "al-Bawarih" are active, carrying enormous quantities of sand and dust over long distances. These dust storms are usually caused by the passage of low-pressure systems or the formation of strong air currents that stir up dust from dry, loose ground.
Expected effects and safety guidelines
The current weather conditions, according to the meteorological alert, affect the governorates of Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma'ah, and Shaqra, in addition to large parts of Riyadh. The most significant impact is expected to be a sharp decrease in visibility, posing a risk to road safety on highways and local roads. In this regard, relevant authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense, urge drivers to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance, and use hazard lights when necessary.
On the health front, health experts and the Saudi Ministry of Health advise citizens and residents, especially the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies, to stay indoors as much as possible and keep windows tightly closed to prevent dust from entering. If going out is unavoidable, wearing protective masks is recommended to safeguard the respiratory system. These weather conditions may also affect air traffic, potentially causing delays or rescheduling of some flights to and from airports in the region.
