Today's weather forecast in Saudi Arabia
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather report for Tuesday, detailing the conditions in Saudi Arabia and warning of significant weather fluctuations affecting several regions. The report predicted a continued and noticeable rise in maximum temperatures across large parts of western Saudi Arabia, as well as parts of the Eastern Province. These forecasts come amidst the seasonal climate changes occurring in the Arabian Peninsula.
climatic context and the impact of weather factors
Historically, Saudi Arabia is known for its arid desert climate, with temperatures soaring during the transitional periods between seasons and in the summer. During these times, monsoon winds, known locally and regionally for their ability to generate sandstorms, are active. While this climatic pattern is part of the region's natural environment, monitoring weather reports remains essential to mitigate the negative impacts of these phenomena on daily life and the local economy, particularly concerning land and air transport.
Strong winds and dust storms hit several areas
The National Center for Meteorology indicated that the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand will continue, potentially leading to near-zero or zero horizontal visibility. This weather condition will affect parts of the Eastern Province, the Northern Borders Region, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Hail, Al-Qassim, Madinah, and Makkah, with its effects extending to parts of the Riyadh region. These conditions necessitate extreme caution, especially for those with respiratory illnesses and drivers on highways.
Maritime navigation situation: Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
Red Sea situation
The report detailed the sea conditions, stating that surface winds over the Red Sea are northerly to northwesterly in the northern and central parts, with speeds ranging from 15 to 30 km/h. In the southern part, winds are southwesterly to northwesterly, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/h. Wave heights range from half a meter to one and a half meters in the northern and central parts, and from half a meter to one meter in the southern part, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state, allowing for cautious maritime navigation.
Arabian Gulf situation
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly in the northern and central parts at speeds of 10 to 25 km/h, and westerly to northwesterly in the southern part at speeds of 15 to 35 km/h. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one meter in the northern and central parts, and from half a meter to one and a half meters in the southern part, with sea conditions ranging from slight to moderate.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
The center issued special warnings regarding the Eastern Province, which is experiencing dust storms and blowing sand during the early morning hours. These conditions are expected to persist until 9:00 AM in the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq, accompanied by a reduction in horizontal visibility ranging from 3 to 5 kilometers.
Dust storms are expected to continue until 8:00 AM in Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, and Qaryat Al-Ulya, accompanied by strong winds and reduced horizontal visibility. These warnings underscore the importance of monitoring weather forecasts to ensure public safety and avoid traffic accidents or health emergencies.
