The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced details of the expected weather conditions for Thursday, revealing significant weather fluctuations affecting various parts of the country. The forecast indicates unstable weather conditions characterized by thunderstorms accompanied by active winds, primarily concentrated in the southwestern and western highlands, while northern regions will experience a sharp drop in temperatures approaching freezing.
Rainfall and weather phenomena map
The weather forecast continues to predict the flow of thunderstorms and rain, often accompanied by active downdrafts that stir up dust and sand, potentially reducing horizontal visibility. This weather pattern will affect large parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions, with its effects extending to parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions. Meteorologists have not ruled out the possibility of scattered rain spreading to parts of the Northern Borders and central regions of the Kingdom, bringing rainy winter weather to those areas.
Geographical and climatic context
This significant variation in weather reflects the diverse geography of Saudi Arabia. While the northern regions are affected by cold air masses from the north, resulting in noticeably lower temperatures, the western coastal areas, such as Jeddah and Mecca, maintain relatively warm temperatures due to their geographical location and the influence of the Red Sea. This climatic diversity is a prominent feature of the Kingdom's continental climate, where all four seasons can be observed simultaneously across its vast territory.
Temperatures: Between warm and frosty
Weather reports today recorded a significant temperature variation, with Al-Qurayyat topping the list of coldest cities at just 2 degrees Celsius, followed by Tarif at 4 degrees, and then Rafha and Arar at 5 degrees Celsius, indicating a strong cold wave affecting the northern region. In contrast, the holy city of Mecca and Jeddah recorded the highest temperatures, reaching a high of 31 degrees Celsius, while Jazan recorded 29 degrees, highlighting the significant difference of nearly 30 degrees Celsius between the north and west of the Kingdom.
Safety alerts and weather effects
Due to the formation of dense fog during the night and early morning hours in parts of the northern, eastern, and southern highlands, traffic safety experts advise drivers to exercise caution, maintain safe distances, and use fog lights when necessary. Authorities also consistently emphasize the importance of staying away from wadis and floodplains during such rainy weather, especially in mountainous areas experiencing heavy thunderstorms.
Sea conditions and navigation
Regarding maritime traffic, the Red Sea is experiencing rough seas in its southern part, with wind speeds reaching 50 km/h and waves reaching up to two meters in height, creating choppy conditions. This necessitates a warning to fishermen and other seafarers. Meanwhile, the Arabian Gulf maintains relatively stable conditions with light to moderate northwesterly winds, resulting in calm seas suitable for normal maritime activities.
