Sakaka records 3 degrees Celsius: Details of today's weather in Saudi Arabia

The city of Sakaka in the Al-Jawf region topped the list of Saudi cities with the lowest temperatures on Monday, December 29, recording a significant drop of 3 degrees Celsius, according to official data from the National Center for Meteorology . This decrease comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant temperature variations and weather fluctuations affecting various regions, reflecting the peak of the winter season in the country.

Temperature details in the cities of the Kingdom

The National Center for Meteorology's report indicated that the cold wave was not limited to Sakaka, but extended to large areas of northern and central Saudi Arabia. The minimum temperatures were as follows:

• Sakaka: 3 degrees Celsius (the lowest recorded).
• Tabuk: 4 degrees Celsius.
• Hail: 5 degrees Celsius.
• Al-Qassim: 6 degrees Celsius.
• Other cities: Tarif, Taif, Rafha, Khamis Mushait, Dawadmi and Abha all recorded 7 degrees Celsius.

This difference in temperatures between the northern regions and the rest of the Kingdom is due to the geographical location of the northern regions, which are usually the first passage for cold air masses coming from the north.

Accompanying weather phenomena: wind and dust

Regarding the weather conditions accompanying this temperature drop, the center warned of strong winds that could stir up dust and sand, causing near-zero or reduced horizontal visibility. These conditions will affect parts of the following regions:

• Tabuk
• Al-Jawf
• Northern borders

The center also did not rule out the possibility of light, scattered rain in parts of those areas, which calls for caution while traveling.

Warnings of fog and reduced visibility

Meanwhile, the possibility of dense fog remains during the night and early morning hours, a common winter phenomenon at this time of year. The fog is expected to affect parts of the Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions. Authorities have stressed the need for caution, especially for drivers on highways and open roads, due to reduced visibility which could pose a risk to public safety.

Climate context and the impact of cold waves

This cold wave is part of the typical winter weather patterns in Saudi Arabia, where the northern and central regions are affected by Siberian high-pressure systems or polar air masses. The Al-Jawf region, with its capital Sakaka, is particularly vulnerable to these waves due to its geographical location and open desert terrain, which facilitates rapid heat loss at night.

This sharp drop in temperatures usually affects daily life patterns, as the demand for heating increases, and agricultural and pastoral activities are affected, requiring farmers and livestock breeders to take precautionary measures to protect their crops and livestock from potential frost waves.