The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for Monday, indicating continued weather fluctuations affecting various regions of the Kingdom. The report explained that the most prominent feature of today's weather is the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, which may lead to reduced horizontal visibility, particularly in open areas of the Al-Jawf and Northern Borders regions.
In a related development, the meteorological department warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the early morning hours, which will negatively impact visibility in parts of the Eastern Province, as well as the southern and western regions, including Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, extending to parts of the Makkah region. These weather phenomena are part of the typical climatic patterns for this time of year, as the Kingdom experiences interactions between different air masses.
Geographical and climatic context
Saudi Arabia is characterized by its wide topography and climate, resulting in drastically different weather conditions from one region to another at the same time. While the northern regions experience active surface winds due to their open desert nature, which stirs up dust and sand, the coastal and highland areas suffer from high relative humidity, creating conditions conducive to fog formation—a phenomenon that requires extreme caution from drivers on highways.
Public safety recommendations
Given these weather conditions, experts advise caution, especially for those traveling on highways in the northern and eastern regions. Those with respiratory conditions and asthma are also advised to avoid direct exposure to dust in windy areas. Authorities consistently emphasize the importance of monitoring current weather forecasts for any new warnings that may be issued in the coming hours.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the marine situation, the National Center for Meteorology report provided the following details:
- Red Sea: Surface winds are shifting from northwesterly to northeasterly in the northern and central parts, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/h, while in the southern part they are southeasterly to southwesterly, reaching speeds of up to 42 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights range from half a meter to one and a half meters, with sea conditions ranging from slight to moderate.
- Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be southeasterly to southerly in the northern part, shifting to northwesterly and southwesterly in the central and southern parts, with speeds reaching up to 35 km/h. Wave height will be slight to moderate, making the sea relatively suitable for maritime activities, although caution is advised in deeper waters.
