Riyadh weather today: Dust storms and reduced visibility in several governorates
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important alert regarding the expected weather conditions on Monday, warning of a wave of dust storms that will reduce horizontal visibility over large parts of the Riyadh region, in addition to varying climatic effects on other regions of the Kingdom.
Weather details in Riyadh
The weather report indicated that the weather conditions affecting the Riyadh region will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM. The phenomenon involves active surface winds stirring up dust and sand, causing a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This necessitates caution, especially for those using highways and open areas.
The alert issued by the center included a list of affected cities and governorates, which are:
- Dawadmi
- Rhine
- Al-Quway'iyah
- chaste
- descendant
- Wadi Al-Dawasir
- Al-Zulfi
- Al-Ghat
- The complex
- blond
The effects extend to other areas
The National Center for Meteorology's report was not limited to the Riyadh region; it also indicated the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand on the eastern parts of the Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions. These effects also extend to parts of the Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, reaching as far as the northern parts of the Eastern Province.
In a notable development regarding the weather situation, the center warned that visibility may drop to “near-zero” levels in horizontal visibility in parts of the Tabuk region, requiring the highest degree of caution.
Climate context and safety measures
These weather fluctuations are part of Saudi Arabia's typical climate, where surface winds are active at various times of the year, particularly during transitional seasons, leading to dust storms in desert and open areas. These phenomena significantly impact daily life, affecting traffic on highways connecting provinces and impacting the health of those with respiratory conditions.
Authorities, such as the Civil Defense and Traffic Department, usually urge citizens and residents in such weather conditions to adhere to speed limits, maintain sufficient distances between vehicles, and avoid open spaces for asthma and allergy sufferers to reduce the health effects of inhaling dust.
Chance of rain and fog
On the other side of the Kingdom's weather map today, there remains a chance of light rain over parts of the western highlands. The report also did not rule out the formation of fog, a factor affecting visibility, over parts of the western highlands and the Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions, resulting in a variety of weather conditions ranging from dust in the central and northern regions to rain and fog in the south and west.
