Today's weather: Winds and dust in 10 Saudi regions, and important warnings
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather for Wednesday, indicating continued weather fluctuations across most regions of Saudi Arabia. The report included warnings of strong surface winds stirring up dust and sand, leading to reduced horizontal visibility in several key areas. Drivers and highway users are advised to exercise caution.
Areas affected by wind and dust
The center explained in its statement that the weather effects will encompass large parts of the Kingdom, with active, dust-raising winds expected to hit 10 major regions. These weather conditions include parts of the Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Eastern regions, extending as far south as Najran . The effects will also extend to the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom, reflecting the widespread nature and geographical reach of the weather system.
Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea
Regarding the maritime conditions, the report indicated rough seas in the Arabian Gulf, with northwesterly winds blowing at speeds ranging from 25 to 50 km/h, resulting in waves reaching heights of 1.5 to 2.5 meters, and a moderate to rough sea state. In the Red Sea, surface winds are northwesterly to southwesterly in the northern part, and northerly to northwesterly in the central and southern parts, with speeds of 15-30 km/h. Wave heights range from half a meter to 1.5 meters, and the sea state is slight to moderate.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
The National Center for Meteorology issued additional warnings for the Eastern Province, cautioning against strong winds and blowing dust starting at 9:00 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. These warnings cover the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, and Ras Tanura , where wind speeds are expected to reach 40-49 km/h, accompanied by high waves and reduced visibility. Meanwhile, the governorates of Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq are experiencing blowing dust that will reduce horizontal visibility to between 2 and 5 kilometers.
Climate context and weather effects
These weather fluctuations are part of the Arabian Peninsula's typical climate, where the Kingdom experiences surface wind activity at this time due to temperature differences and atmospheric pressure variations. While such phenomena are common in desert and open areas, their direct impact on daily life necessitates continuous monitoring.
This weather condition is expected to affect intercity road traffic, particularly on highways connecting the central, eastern, and northern regions, due to the potential for reduced visibility caused by suspended dust. Experts advise those with respiratory conditions and asthma to avoid direct exposure to the dust. Authorities also urge travelers to adhere to traffic regulations and reduce their speed while driving in affected areas to ensure their safety.
