The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for the early morning hours, indicating the formation of light fog that will affect horizontal visibility in large parts of five major regions of the Kingdom. These alerts are part of the Center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Weather details and affected areas
The weather report indicated that the weather conditions, which will persist until 8:00 AM, will cause a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. The center specified the areas and cities covered by this warning as follows:
- Eastern Province: Fog will affect the governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Qatif, and Ras Tanura. The Eastern Province is among the areas most prone to fog due to its high humidity levels, a consequence of its proximity to the Arabian Gulf.
- Jazan region: The alert included the governorates of Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub.
- Asir region: Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Abha and Khamis Mushait were affected, as the mountainous nature of these areas contributes to the condensation of low clouds and fog.
- Al-Jawf region: The situation included Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal.
- Northern Border Region: The situation was concentrated in the province of Tarif.
Safety guidelines while driving in fog
Due to the reduced visibility caused by fog, authorities consistently emphasize the importance of following traffic safety guidelines to avoid accidents. Experts advise drivers to reduce their speed according to road conditions and to use fog lights instead of high beams, which can further reduce visibility due to light reflecting off water droplets. Maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding overtaking in such weather conditions is also recommended to ensure safe arrival.
Climate context and weather effects in the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by its wide climatic and geographical diversity, resulting in significant variations in weather phenomena from one region to another. While coastal areas like the Eastern Province experience fog due to the air being saturated with maritime moisture, the southern highlands, such as Asir and Jazan, experience fog caused by the topography and the mountains obstructing moist clouds. This climatic diversity is part of the Kingdom's geographical nature, and the National Center for Meteorology utilizes the latest technologies and early warning systems to provide accurate and up-to-date information, thus enhancing the preparedness of government and service agencies to deal with any weather-related emergencies.
