Meteorological authorities warn of dense fog and reduced visibility in 7 Saudi regions

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather conditions , warning of varying intensity fog covering large parts of the Kingdom. The center explained that this weather pattern will persist during the early morning hours of Thursday, reaching its peak around 8:00 AM, urging citizens and residents, especially those traveling on highways and open roads, to exercise caution.

Weather details and its effects

The weather report indicated that the phenomenon is characterized by the formation of light to dense fog, leading to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility. The effects of this condition vary depending on the region. Visibility is expected to be limited to 3-5 kilometers in some areas, while in others it will be much worse, reaching near-zero visibility of 1-3 kilometers. In areas experiencing dense fog, the center warned of a complete loss of horizontal visibility, dropping to one kilometer or less, posing a serious danger to traffic.

Areas and cities affected by fog

The alert covered 7 main regions, where the weather conditions are distributed as follows:

• Eastern Region: The situation is concentrated in Al-Udayd Governorate.
• Makkah Region: Includes Al Qunfudhah, Adham, Maysan, Al Khurmah, Al Muwayh, Turbah, Ranyah, in addition to Taif Governorate.
• Al-Baha region: Covers villages, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha city, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
• Asir region: includes Al Birk, Al Qahmah, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Abha city, Ahad Rafidah, and Khamis Mushait.
• Jazan region: Al Darb, Bish, Jazan city, Farasan, Al Harth, Al Dayer, Al Reeth, Al Ardah, Al Aydabi, Fifa and Haroub are affected.
• Northern borders: concentrated in Tarif.
• Al-Jawf region: includes Al-Qurayyat.

Geographical and climatic context of the situation

This weather phenomenon occurs within the context of the usual climatic shifts that the Kingdom experiences, particularly in mountainous and coastal regions. The Sarawat Mountains (which include Taif, Al-Baha, and Asir) are considered a fertile environment for fog formation due to their high altitude and the mountains' obstruction of humid air masses, leading to water vapor condensation. In contrast, coastal areas such as Jazan and the Eastern Province experience a different type of fog, linked to high relative humidity levels coming from the sea, known as horizontal transition fog.

The importance of warnings and their impact on public safety

These warnings are of paramount importance due to their direct impact on road safety and intercity transportation. Relevant authorities, including the Special Forces for Road Security and Civil Defense, urge drivers to exercise defensive driving during these conditions, use fog lights, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid speeding. The early warning system operated by the National Center of Meteorology is a cornerstone in reducing weather-related traffic accidents, enabling service providers and citizens to prepare in advance and plan their movements to ensure their safety.