Weather in Saudi Arabia: Frost in the north and dust in Riyadh and the Eastern Province
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on weather conditions on Wednesday in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating significant weather fluctuations ranging from a sharp drop in temperatures to active surface winds that stir up dust.
Weather details and affected areas
According to the weather report, cold to very cold in the northern regions of the Kingdom, specifically Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and the Northern Borders. The center warned of a high probability of frost during the early morning hours in parts of these areas, urging caution, especially for drivers and farmers.
In a related development, the Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Najran regions are experiencing a gradual drop in temperatures, accompanied by active surface winds that may stir up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility. This weather pattern extends to the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands and parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions. The report also did not rule out the possibility of light rain and fog formation over the Jazan and Asir highlands.
Climate context and the impact of cold waves
These weather fluctuations are part of the typical winter climate in Saudi Arabia, where the country is usually affected by cold air masses from the north, contributing to sub-zero temperatures in the northern regions. This weather variation reflects the Kingdom's diverse geography, with different climatic patterns across its coastal, desert, and mountainous areas.
These warnings are of particular importance due to their direct impact on daily life; frost poses risks to agricultural crops, while dust storms pose a challenge to respiratory patients and negatively affect the safety of highways, requiring continuous monitoring of official warnings.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the state of the water bodies, the center explained that the movement of surface winds on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of up to 35 km/h, and may reach 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and two meters.
In the Arabian Gulf , the waters are experiencing a state of turbulence, with northwesterly to westerly winds reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h, leading to waves exceeding two and a half meters in height, and the sea being moderately rough to turbulent, requiring caution for seafarers and fishermen.
Special alert for the Riyadh region
In an advanced warning, the National Center for Meteorology cautioned residents of the Riyadh region about blowing dust that will begin affecting the area in the early morning hours and continue until the evening. The warning covers the governorates of Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Al-Hariq, Al-Kharj, Ad-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiya, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh (the capital), Ad-Dawadimi, Ar-Rayn, Al-Quway'iyah, and Afif. This condition is expected to cause near-zero horizontal visibility (1-3 kilometers), necessitating adherence to traffic safety instructions.
