Saudi Arabia experienced a striking contrast in weather conditions on Monday, reflecting the country's diverse geography. The National Center for Meteorology reported a significant temperature difference of up to 31 degrees Celsius between two different regions at the same time. While Mecca enjoyed warm summer weather, the northern regions experienced near-freezing temperatures.
Temperature details: Mecca is at the top, and Al-Qurayyat is the coldest
According to data from the National Center for Meteorology, the holy city of Mecca recorded the highest temperature at 32 degrees Celsius, providing a moderate and suitable climate for visitors to the Grand Mosque and pilgrims at this time of year. In contrast, the city of Qurayyat recorded the lowest temperature in the Kingdom at just one degree Celsius, reflecting the deepening of the cold winter weather in the northern regions.
Al-Qurayyat was not the only area on the list of extremely cold regions, as data showed a gradual decrease that included:
- Tabuk: Two degrees Celsius.
- Tarif and Arar: 3 degrees Celsius.
- Sakaka: 4 degrees Celsius.
- Hail: 5 degrees Celsius.
- Riyadh and Qassim: 6 degrees Celsius.
The geographical and climatic context of the Kingdom
This significant temperature variation is a natural consequence of Saudi Arabia's vast area, exceeding two million square kilometers, resulting in diverse climatic regions. While the northern regions (such as Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and Tabuk) are affected by cold air masses originating from Siberia or the Mediterranean in winter, the western coastal areas (such as Jeddah and Mecca) remain warm thanks to the influence of the Red Sea and the Hijaz Mountains, which block cold winds. This explains why Jeddah and Jazan can record temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius simultaneously with Mecca.
Weather phenomena: rain and dense fog
The weather report was not limited to temperatures, but also included forecasts of thunderstorms in the southwestern highlands, a common phenomenon that contributes to irrigating agricultural terraces and reviving the tourist atmosphere in those areas.
On the other hand, the center warned of a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility due to dense fog covering large parts of:
- Eastern Province.
- Riyadh region.
- Northern borders.
The relevant authorities urged drivers and highway users to exercise caution, use fog lights, and maintain safe distances to avoid traffic accidents that may result from low visibility, especially in the early morning hours.
Sea conditions and navigation
Regarding maritime conditions, the center warned of rough seas in the southern part of the Red Sea towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where waves could reach heights of up to two meters with strong winds, urging caution from fishermen and other seafarers. Meanwhile, the Arabian Gulf is experiencing relatively calm conditions with light to moderate waves, making it suitable for normal maritime activities.
