The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important weather alert for early Friday morning, indicating the formation of light fog that will directly affect horizontal visibility in large parts of five major regions of the Kingdom. This report is part of the Center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and drivers on highways.
Details of the fog and reduced visibility
The weather report indicated that the light fog phenomenon would continue to affect some areas until 8:00 AM, while in others it would dissipate by 6:00 AM. This fog is expected to reduce horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, necessitating caution while driving during these times.
Affected areas and cities
The National Center for Meteorology has precisely identified the locations that will experience this weather condition, as follows:
- Eastern Region: Includes Al-Adid Governorate.
- Tabuk region: Tabuk city and its surroundings.
- Al-Jawf region: Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal governorates.
- Jazan region: includes Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub.
- Asir region: includes Abha, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, and Khamis Mushait.
General weather forecast for Friday
In addition to fog, today's weather report indicates continued strong winds stirring up dust and sand, which may reduce horizontal visibility in parts of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province. There is also a chance of light rain in parts of these regions, extending to the highlands of Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan. Furthermore, forecasts predict a noticeable drop in temperatures accompanied by strong winds in parts of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders region.
The importance of warnings and safety guidelines
These warnings are of paramount importance given the impact of fluctuating weather conditions on road traffic and navigation. Experts consistently advise maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, using fog lights, and avoiding excessive speed, especially in mountainous areas and on dangerous curves in Asir and Jazan, where the risks of skidding or reduced visibility are significantly higher.
Seasonal and geographical context
These weather fluctuations are part of the climatic characteristics of the transitional phase the Kingdom is experiencing, where cold air masses interact with warm, humid air currents, leading to fog formation, particularly in coastal areas and mountainous regions. Areas like Asir and Jazan are among the most susceptible to these phenomena due to their high elevation, which contributes to cloud condensation and close contact with the ground.
