Saudi Arabia weather today: Dense fog in 6 regions and travel warnings issued

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an urgent weather report, warning of varying fog intensity that will directly affect horizontal visibility in large parts of six major regions of the Kingdom during the early morning hours of Monday. These warnings 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 horizontal visibility is reduced to between 3 and 5 kilometers in some areas, while it may reach near-zero visibility (1 to 3 kilometers) in others. This necessitates caution, especially for those using highways and open roads. The center identified the affected areas and cities as follows:

• Eastern Region: Includes Hafr Al-Batin Governorate and its surrounding areas.
• Riyadh region: The situation extends to include the southern and western governorates such as Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, and Wadi Ad-Dawasir.
• Makkah Region: Fog is concentrated on the highlands and eastern governorates, including Taif, Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, and Ranyah.
• Asir region: Dense fog is expected in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Ahad Rafidah, Al Namas, Tanomah, Balqarn, Dhahran Al Janoub, and Sarat Abidah, in addition to the Tihama and coastal areas.
• Jazan region: The situation covers most of the region’s governorates, including Jazan city, Sabya, Abu Arish, Al Darb, Bish, and mountainous areas such as Fifa and Haroub.
• Northern borders: include Al-Uwaiqilah and Rafha.

Geographical context and the importance of warnings

These warnings are particularly important given the geographical nature of the affected areas. Regions like Asir and Taif are characterized by their mountainous terrain and high altitude, making them prone to the formation of low clouds and dense fog that significantly impairs visibility, especially during the early morning hours and winter. Conversely, coastal areas such as Jazan and the Eastern Province are affected by high relative humidity levels, which contribute to the formation of water vapor.

Weather conditions and safety guidelines

This type of weather directly impacts traffic and intercity travel, as the highways connecting Riyadh to its southern provinces, or the mountain roads in Asir and Taif, are vital transportation arteries. Authorities, such as the Special Forces for Road Security and Civil Defense, typically urge drivers to adhere to speed limits, use fog lights, and avoid high beams, which can reduce visibility due to reflections on water droplets in the fog. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe following distance to prevent traffic accidents.

The National Center for Meteorology is the official body authorized to issue weather forecasts and warnings in the Kingdom, relying on a sophisticated network of radars and monitoring stations to provide accurate information that contributes to protecting lives and property and supporting decision-making in various vital sectors.