Today's weather: Rain in Mecca and fog in the Eastern Province – details of warnings
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a detailed report on weather conditions for today, Thursday, indicating weather fluctuations affecting several regions, most notably the Makkah region and the Eastern Province. This report comes as part of the ongoing monitoring of weather conditions to ensure the safety of citizens and residents and to advise them to take precautions while traveling.
Rain and thunderstorms in Mecca
The center explained in its alert that parts of the Makkah region will experience light rainfall, beginning at 1:00 PM and continuing into the early evening, specifically until 8:00 PM in some areas and extending to 9:00 PM in others. The affected areas include the governorates of Al-Ardiyat, Al-Lith, Al-Qunfudhah, Adham, Maysan, and Taif.
This weather pattern is particularly significant given the geographical nature of these areas. The Taif and Maysan highlands are known for their mountainous terrain, which is conducive to the formation of thunderclouds. The report indicated that the rain will be accompanied by active winds that may stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility, in addition to the possibility of lightning strikes, necessitating caution when driving on mountain roads and slopes.
Red alert and heavy fog in the Eastern Province
In a related development, the National Center of Meteorology issued a "red alert" for the Eastern Province, warning of dense fog that could lead to zero or near-zero horizontal visibility. This phenomenon began Wednesday evening and is expected to continue until 9:00 AM Thursday.
The alert includes vital and densely populated cities and governorates, including: Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq. Horizontal visibility in these areas ranges between 1 and 3 kilometers, and may drop to less than 1 kilometer in some parts.
Safety recommendations and the importance of warnings
The fog phenomenon in the Eastern Province is a common occurrence at this time of year due to the high humidity levels coming from the Arabian Gulf. However, its density today requires drivers to adhere to safe driving practices, use fog lights, and avoid high speeds, especially on highways connecting the cities of the Eastern Province.
The relevant authorities, including the Civil Defense, stress the need to follow weather through official channels and to stay away from flood channels and valleys in the rainy areas of the Makkah region, to ensure the safety of lives and property.
