The National Center for Meteorology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued urgent warnings today regarding the expected weather conditions in the Eastern Province, cautioning against weather fluctuations that include light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by a noticeable increase in surface wind activity, which calls for caution, especially for those using highways and open areas.
Weather details and affected areas
The center explained in its report that the rainy weather conditions encompass a wide range of cities and governorates in the Eastern Province, including Dammam, Dhahran, Khafji, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Nairyah, Ras Tanura, Qatif, Abqaiq, Al-Ahsa, and others. The report indicated that these rains may be accompanied by hail, flash floods in some areas, and thunderstorms.
In the same context, the center warned of the effects of active winds that may lead to high sea waves in coastal areas, and stir up dust and sand, causing almost no horizontal visibility, which poses a danger to drivers.
Special alerts for Hafr Al-Batin Governorate
The National Center for Meteorology issued an additional warning for Hafr Al-Batin Governorate regarding active surface winds causing dust storms, indicating that horizontal visibility may drop to between 3 and 5 kilometers. The center stated that this weather condition in Hafr Al-Batin will continue, God willing, until 6:00 PM, while the rainy conditions in the rest of the Eastern Province will continue until 9:00 PM.
The importance of adhering to traffic safety instructions
These warnings are of paramount importance given the Eastern Province's geography and its network of highways connecting industrial cities and residential areas, as well as the international roads linking the Kingdom to neighboring Gulf states. Dust-laden winds typically present significant driving challenges, requiring drivers to adhere to speed limits, maintain safe distances, and use hazard lights when necessary.
The relevant authorities, including the Civil Defense and Road Security, are calling on citizens and residents to follow official weather bulletins and avoid low-lying areas and flood channels during rainfall, to ensure the safety of lives and property.
General weather conditions in the Kingdom
Nationally, the weather fluctuations are not limited to the Eastern Province but extend to large parts of the Kingdom. Forecasts indicate continued chances of thunderstorms of varying intensity, from moderate to heavy, accompanied by hail and strong winds in parts of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Riyadh regions. These fluctuations are part of the climatic characteristics of the transitional period the Kingdom is experiencing, which is typically marked by atmospheric instability and rapid changes in weather patterns.
