The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for early Friday morning, indicating the formation of fog of varying intensity, which may become dense fog across large parts of the Kingdom. This alert covers 11 administrative regions, urging drivers and highway users to exercise caution.
Weather details and its effects
The weather report explained that the prevailing weather phenomenon is the low horizontal visibility, ranging between (3-5) kilometers in some locations, while it may reach a near-zero visibility of (1-3) kilometers in other locations, which poses a real challenge to traffic and movement between the affected cities and governorates.
Areas and cities affected by the fog wave
The National Center for Meteorology has identified the regions and cities that will experience this weather condition, as follows:
- The Eastern Province: includes Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, Abqaiq, Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya.
- Riyadh region: Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway’iyah, Afif, Thadiq, Huraymila, Rumah, Dhurma, Marat, Al-Diriyah, Riyadh (the capital), Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma’ah, and Shaqra.
- Makkah Region: Taif, Al-Shafa, and Maysan.
- Tabuk region: Tabuk city and its surroundings.
- Al-Jawf region: Dumat Al-Jandal, Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal.
- Northern borders: Tarif, Al-Uwaiqilah, Arar, and Rafha.
- Asir region: Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Khamis Mushait, Al Namas, Balqarn, and Tanomah.
- Jazan region: Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
- Hail region: Al-Hait, Al-Sulaimi, Al-Shamli, Al-Shanan, Al-Ghazala, Baqaa, Hail, Samira, and Muwaqq.
- Al-Qassim region: Al-Asyah, Al-Badai’, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Thamiriya, Al-Shamasiya, Al-Ammar, Al-Mudhnib, Buraydah, Unayzah, Uyun Al-Jawa, Abanat, Al-Khabra, Ar-Rass, Al-Fawarah, An-Nabhaniah, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Dhariyah, and Uqlat As-Suqur.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These warnings come in the context of the usual weather fluctuations that the Kingdom experiences during seasonal transitions and winter, when relative humidity increases and minimum temperatures decrease, creating an opportunity for water vapor to condense and fog to form, especially in open areas, mountainous highlands, and coastal regions.
These warnings are of paramount importance given the Kingdom's vast geographical expanse and the heavy reliance of commercial and civilian transport on the highway network connecting its regions. Therefore, it is always advisable to regularly check weather forecasts to avoid traffic accidents caused by poor visibility.
Safety guidelines while driving in fog
In such weather conditions, the relevant authorities recommend following these safety guidelines:
- Reduce speed in accordance with visibility.
- Use fog lights (if available) and avoid using high beams which may scatter vision due to light reflection.
- Leave a sufficient safety distance between vehicles that exceeds the usual distance.
- Adhere to the designated lanes and do not overtake except in cases of extreme necessity and after ensuring that the road is clear.
