Introduction: The nature of the climate in the Kingdom and seasonal changes
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by its desert and semi-desert geography, making it susceptible to constant weather fluctuations, especially during seasonal transitions. Historically, the Arabian Peninsula has been known for its active monsoon winds that stir up sand and dust, requiring close and continuous monitoring. In this context, the National Center for Meteorology plays a vital role in providing accurate forecasts to protect lives and property and to guide citizens and residents in taking necessary precautions.
Today's weather details: Active winds and blowing dust
The National Center for Meteorology, in its report issued today, Thursday, predicted the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand across large parts of the Kingdom. This weather condition is causing near-zero horizontal visibility, necessitating extreme caution. Affected areas include parts of Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders region, extending to parts of Al-Qassim, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. The report also indicated the possibility of thunderstorms and rain over the highlands of the Asir region, adding a noticeable variation to the Kingdom's weather patterns.
Maritime navigation situation: Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
Given the strategic and economic importance of the water bodies surrounding the Kingdom, the report details the sea conditions. In the Red Sea, surface winds are northwesterly to westerly in the northern and central parts, with speeds ranging from 20 to 40 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h in the north. In the southern part, winds are southeasterly to northeasterly at speeds of 10 to 28 km/h. Wave heights range from one to two meters in the central part, reaching up to two and a half meters in the north, while the sea is calm in the south. Sea conditions are moderate to rough in the north.
In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be northwesterly to westerly, shifting to southwesterly in the evening over the northern part at speeds of 12-38 km/h, reaching up to 48 km/h in the central and southern parts. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, potentially reaching two meters, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state.
Advanced alerts for the Eastern Province
The center issued a special alert for the Eastern Province, warning of blowing dust starting at 4:00 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. This alert includes the governorates of Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, and Hafr Al-Batin. This weather pattern will be accompanied by strong winds, reducing horizontal visibility to between 1 and 3 kilometers.
Local and regional impact of weather fluctuations
These weather changes have significant local and regional impacts. Locally, dust storms directly affect traffic and safety on highways, and increase hospital and clinic visits due to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies. Regionally, wind activity and sea conditions affect maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, two of the most important waterways for global trade and fishing. Therefore, relevant authorities, including Civil Defense, urge everyone to take precautions and follow health and traffic guidelines to ensure everyone's safety during these weather fluctuations.
