The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced details of the expected weather conditions for today, Thursday, January 8, as the Kingdom’s regions are experiencing a noticeable variation in temperatures and weather phenomena, reflecting the climatic and geographical diversity that the country enjoys during the winter season.
A noticeable drop in temperatures in the north and south
In a detailed monitoring of minimum temperatures, Al-Qurayyat Governorate topped the list of the coldest cities, with the thermometer recording a drop of 3 degrees Celsius. This is considered normal for this northern border city, known as the Kingdom's gateway to cold waves coming from the north. The southern regions were not immune to this drop, with Khamis Mushait Governorate recording 4 degrees Celsius, followed by Abha and Tarif, both recording 5 degrees Celsius. This necessitates that residents and visitors take the necessary precautions and wear heavy winter clothing, especially during the night and early morning hours.
Stable weather and chances of fog formation
The National Center for Meteorology's report indicated that the general weather conditions are stable across most of the Kingdom, but this stability is accompanied by weather phenomena that require caution. The report noted that the possibility of fog formation remains, which could lead to reduced horizontal visibility during the night and early morning hours. The areas affected by this phenomenon include parts of Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan, in addition to the southern parts of the Eastern Province. Fog is a common winter phenomenon in these areas due to high relative humidity and the cooling of the ground surface, requiring drivers on highways and in mountainous regions to exercise caution.
Sea conditions and wind patterns
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed the situation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf as follows:
- Red Sea: Surface winds are experiencing varying activity, ranging from northwesterly to northerly in the northern part, while shifting to southeasterly and southwesterly in the central and southern parts. Wind speeds range between 12 and 35 km/h, and may increase to 45 km/h towards the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights range between half a meter and one and a half meters, and may reach two meters in the south. Sea conditions are described as slight to moderate.
- Arabian Gulf: Northwesterly winds prevail at speeds ranging between 10 and 28 km/h, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and one meter, making the sea state light and suitable for normal marine activities.
Climate context and the importance of monitoring
These weather fluctuations are within the normal context of the Kingdom's climate in January, which is the peak of winter. These reports are of paramount importance not only to citizens and residents for planning their daily lives, but also to vital sectors such as agriculture, land and sea transport, and winter tourism, which flourishes in the northern and southern regions during this time of year.
