Saudi Arabia weather today: Tabuk records 1 degree Celsius and a frost wave hits the regions
Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing unstable weather conditions accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperatures. The National Center for Meteorology reported on Saturday that Tabuk recorded the lowest temperature in the Kingdom, at just 1 degree Celsius. This data confirms the continuation of the cold to very cold wave affecting several regions of the country.
Details of recorded temperatures in the cities of the Kingdom
The National Center for Meteorology detailed the minimum temperature readings, revealing that Tabuk was not the only area experiencing extreme cold. The governorates of Dawadmi, Tarif, Qurayyat, and Taif recorded temperatures as low as 2 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Hail and Sakaka recorded 3 degrees Celsius, while readings reached 4 degrees Celsius in Buraidah, Bisha, and Rafha, reflecting the widespread nature of the cold wave across large areas of the north and central regions.
climatic context and the impact of air masses
This cold wave is part of the Kingdom's natural winter climate, as the northern and central regions are typically affected by the advance of cold polar air masses from the north. This time of year marks the peak of the cold season, with minimum temperatures dropping sharply, especially during the night and early morning hours. The geographical location of the northern regions and their proximity to climatic influences from the Levant and the eastern Mediterranean contribute to making them the most susceptible to these cold spells.
Weather forecast and its potential effects
The center predicted that cold to very cold weather would continue for the next 24 hours in the northern and central regions of the Kingdom, as well as the highlands of Makkah and Al-Baha. The center warned of the possibility of fog and frost, which could have significant impacts on both local and service levels
- Warnings to drivers: The formation of dense fog leads to a decrease in horizontal visibility, which requires extreme caution while driving on highways and open roads.
- The agricultural sector: Frost poses a threat to agricultural crops in the northern regions, which necessitates farmers taking the necessary preventive measures to protect their crops from damage.
Wind and sea conditions in coastal areas
Regarding coastal areas, the report indicated the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand on parts of the Eastern Province, Tabuk, Medina, and Mecca. Concerning maritime conditions, the center provided the following:
- Red Sea: Northeasterly to northerly winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, with wave heights reaching up to two meters.
- Arabian Gulf: Westerly to northwesterly winds that may reach speeds of more than 50 km/h with the formation of rain-bearing thunderclouds, which may lead to waves rising to more than two meters and the sea becoming rough during periods of thunder activity.
