Saudi Arabia weather: Tarif 3 below zero and frost expected in the north of the Kingdom
Northern Saudi Arabia is experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures, with the city of Tarif recording the lowest low temperature on Wednesday at -3 degrees Celsius, indicating the continued and deepening of the cold air mass affecting the Kingdom. This significant decrease further reinforces the northern regions' reputation as the coldest areas during winter in the Arabian Peninsula.
Temperature details in the cities of the Kingdom
According to the data released, Tarif wasn't the only city to experience freezing temperatures. Al-Qurayyat recorded a low of -2 degrees Celsius, while Arar and Rafha both reached -1 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, Sakaka recorded a low of just above zero degrees Celsius, Hail reached a low of 2 degrees Celsius, Al-Qaysumah 4 degrees, and Tabuk and Al-Dawadmi 5 degrees Celsius. In the central regions, temperatures in the capital, Riyadh, and Buraidah reached 6 degrees Celsius, necessitating the wearing of heavy winter clothing.
Weather forecast and associated weather phenomena
The National Center for Meteorology explained in its daily report that the weather is characterized by extreme cold, especially in the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions, with a high chance of frost in the early morning hours. This could affect agricultural crops and traffic on highways. This cold wave coincides with active surface winds that stir up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility in parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Najran regions, extending to the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands and the Makkah and Madinah regions.
Climate context and the effects of the cold wave
These cold waves are a natural part of the Kingdom's climate at the height of winter, as the northern regions are affected by polar air masses originating from Siberia and Eastern Europe. The province of Tarif has a unique geographical characteristic due to its high altitude and northern location, which leads it to record record low temperatures annually. This weather pattern has a direct impact on daily life, increasing energy consumption for heating and requiring drivers on highways to exercise extreme caution due to the possibility of fog and reduced visibility, especially in the Jazan and Asir regions, which may also experience light rain.
Sea conditions and maritime navigation
Regarding maritime navigation, the Arabian Gulf is experiencing significant turbulence, with northwesterly to westerly surface winds reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h and wave heights exceeding 2.5 meters, making sea conditions rough and unsuitable for small boats. In the Red Sea, winds are active at varying speeds, reaching up to 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with wave heights reaching up to 2 meters in those areas, necessitating caution for seafarers and fishermen.
