The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather for Friday, indicating continued weather fluctuations affecting several regions of the Kingdom. The report explained that the weather is characterized by strong surface winds stirring up dust and sand, which may reduce horizontal visibility in open areas and on highways.
Weather details and affected areas
According to the center's data, the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand continues across wide areas, including Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, Hail, Al-Qassim, and Madinah. These effects also extend to parts of Makkah and Tabuk. This weather pattern is typical for this time of year, as the Kingdom's desert geography plays a significant role in how quickly the atmosphere is affected by surface wind patterns. Therefore, caution is advised, especially for those traveling on highways connecting these regions.
Fog formation and its effect on visibility
In another part of the report, the meteorological department warned of continued chances of dense fog forming at times during the night and early morning hours. This warning is particularly focused on the coastal areas of the Makkah and Eastern Provinces. Fog is a weather phenomenon that requires extreme caution while driving due to the significantly reduced visibility, necessitating the use of fog lights and adherence to speed limits.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea are northwesterly to northerly in the northern and central parts, with speeds ranging from 25 to 50 km/h, while they are southeasterly to southwesterly in the southern part. Wave heights vary considerably, reaching up to 2.5 meters in the northern and central parts, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be northeasterly to southeasterly, gradually shifting to northwesterly. Wave heights will be light, ranging from half a meter to one meter, resulting in calm sea conditions suitable for normal maritime activities. However, continuous updates are advised.
General tips and guidelines
Due to these dusty conditions, health experts advise those with respiratory illnesses and asthma to avoid direct exposure to dust and stay indoors as much as possible. Authorities also urge travelers and truck drivers on highways to exercise extreme caution due to the potential for reduced visibility in areas with strong winds or fog.
