The National Center for Meteorology issued an important and urgent alert to residents of Al-Qurayyat Governorate in the Al-Jawf region, warning of a severe cold wave expected to hit the area and urging them to take precautions. These warnings come as part of the center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations during the winter season in the northern regions of the Kingdom.
Weather details in Al Qurayyat
The center explained in its official report that Al-Qurayyat Governorate will be affected by a strong cold wave leading to a significant and sharp drop in temperatures, with minimum temperatures expected to range between 0°C and -3°C. The report indicated that this weather pattern will be accompanied by frost formation, which may affect horizontal visibility and traffic during the early morning hours.
The National Center for Meteorology specified the time frame for this weather condition, indicating that it will begin - God willing - from 2:00 AM and continue until 8:00 AM on Sunday, which is the period that usually records the lowest temperatures during the day.
The geographical and climatic context of the northern regions
These warnings are particularly important given the geographical nature of Al-Qurayyat Governorate, Al-Jawf region, and the northern regions in general. Climatically, these areas are known to be the Kingdom's gateway for air currents originating from Siberia and Eastern Europe, making them more susceptible to severe cold waves and frost than other parts of the Kingdom. Historically, Al-Qurayyat has recorded record low temperatures in previous winter seasons, making its residents constantly prepared for such weather events.
Expected weather effects and safety guidelines
The impact of sub-zero temperatures and frost is not limited to the feeling of cold, but extends to several aspects of daily life:
- Road safety: Frost causes vehicles to slip on the roads, especially in the early morning hours, which requires drivers to be extremely careful and leave safe distances.
- The agricultural sector: Al-Qurayyat is famous for agriculture, and frost is considered an enemy of agricultural crops, which usually prompts farmers to take preventive measures to protect their crops from damage as a result of freezing.
- Public health: These conditions require wearing heavy winter clothing, especially for children and the elderly, to avoid winter illnesses and colds, with the need to pay attention to heating methods and ensure ventilation of places to avoid suffocation accidents.
General weather conditions in the Kingdom
In a related context, the National Center for Meteorology had previously announced details of the expected weather conditions for Saturday, warning of cold weather, frost, fog, and dust affecting large parts of 11 administrative regions in the Kingdom. The forecast indicates a noticeable drop in temperatures accompanied by active surface winds and fog formation in the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, with the possibility of frost in the highlands of the Tabuk region as well, confirming the widespread nature of the cold weather across the northern and northwestern regions.
