Northern regions of Saudi Arabia experienced a significant and sharp drop in temperatures on Tuesday, with Al-Qurayyat recording the lowest low at just 2 degrees Celsius, nearing freezing. This drop is part of a cold wave affecting several regions, with Tabuk and Hail recording 3 degrees Celsius, Arar and Sakaka at 4 degrees Celsius, Buraidah at 5 degrees Celsius, and Rafha at 6 degrees Celsius.
National Center of Meteorology forecasts
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather , indicating that the noticeable drop in temperatures will continue, accompanied by weather phenomena that require caution. The forecast indicates – God willing – increased surface wind activity and the formation of dense fog that may reduce horizontal visibility in parts of the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions. This weather pattern also extends to the northern parts of the Qassim and Eastern regions.
The center warned of the possibility of frost forming during the early morning hours in parts of those areas, which requires farmers, drivers and highway users to be cautious.
Climate context and the impact of the cold wave
Due to its geographical location, the northern regions of Saudi Arabia are the primary gateway for cold air masses arriving from the north. These areas typically experience record-breaking low temperatures at this time of year, sometimes dropping below freezing. These cold waves directly impact the daily activities of residents, increasing the demand for heating and necessitating the wearing of heavy winter clothing, especially for children and the elderly.
Frost also has a direct impact on the agricultural sector in those areas, requiring preventive measures to protect crops sensitive to extreme cold.
Rain and fog in the south
In contrast to the dry and cold conditions in the north, the weather report indicated that the sky would be partly to mostly cloudy over the southern and southwestern highlands, with a chance of light rain and fog in parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions. Such rainfall is typical of these areas, which are characterized by mountainous terrain that contributes to the condensation of rain clouds.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the marine conditions, the report explained that the surface wind movement on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at a speed of between 20 and 40 km/h on the northern and central parts, while it will be southeasterly to easterly at a speed of 12-32 km/h in the south, and the wind speed may reach 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Wave height in the Red Sea ranges from one meter to one and a half meters in the north and center, and from half a meter to one and a half meters in the south, and may reach two meters in active areas, making the sea state moderate to occasionally rough.
In the Arabian Gulf, the winds will be northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 20-45 km/h in the northern part, and northwesterly to westerly at a speed of 12-32 km/h in the central and southern parts, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and one and a half meters.
