Introduction to today's weather in Saudi Arabia
The National Center for Meteorology, in its detailed daily weather report for Saudi Arabia on Monday, announced the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand across large parts of the Kingdom. These forecasts come amidst the seasonal climatic changes occurring in the Arabian Peninsula, where the Kingdom's geographical features and strategic location play a significant role in the formation of these weather phenomena.
The climatic and historical context of winds and dust
Historically, dust storms are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, particularly during seasonal transitions and dry periods. Some of these winds are known locally and regionally as "Al-Bawarih winds," northwesterly winds that typically occur during the summer and significantly affect the eastern and central regions, leading to dust storms and reduced horizontal visibility. These weather conditions directly impact daily life, necessitating caution from citizens and residents, especially those traveling on highways and those with respiratory conditions.
Areas affected by active winds and thunderstorms
The National Center for Meteorology's report indicated that active winds stirring up dust and sand will affect parts of nine major regions: Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, Al-Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Najran. The report also noted that there remains a chance of thunderstorms and rain over parts of the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom, resulting in significant weather variations across different regions.
Maritime navigation situation: Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
Given the importance of maritime navigation and the impact of weather on it, the report detailed the situation of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf:
- Red Sea: Surface winds will be northwesterly to northerly at speeds of 20 to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, and northwesterly to westerly at speeds of 15 to 30 km/h in the southern part. Wave heights will range from 1 to 2 meters in the north and central parts, and from half a meter to 1.5 meters in the south, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state.
- Arabian Gulf: Northwesterly to northerly surface winds prevail at speeds of 15 to 30 km/h. Wave height ranges from half a meter to one and a half meters, and sea conditions are slight to moderate, reflecting relatively stable navigation compared to land.
Special warnings for the Eastern Province and its effects
The National Center for Meteorology issued advanced warnings for the Eastern Province, indicating that active winds and dust storms will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 6:00 PM. The warning covers wind speeds reaching 40-49 kilometers per hour in the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, and Ras Tanura, leading to reduced horizontal visibility.
The dust storm alert covers the governorates of Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, Buqayq, Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nu'ayriyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya. This weather pattern is accompanied by strong winds and near-zero horizontal visibility, ranging from 1 to 3 kilometers. The local significance of this event lies in the necessity for drivers to adhere to speed limits and use fog lights. Additionally, health authorities are urged to raise their level of preparedness to handle cases of asthma and respiratory allergies that may result from these dusty conditions.
