Northern regions of Saudi Arabia witnessed a sharp and noticeable drop in temperatures during the early morning hours of Tuesday, with the governorate of Tarif recording the lowest temperature in the Kingdom at one degree Celsius below zero, in a clear indication of the deepening of the cold air mass affecting the northern parts of the country.
Details of recorded temperatures
According to data released by the National Center for Meteorology, Tarif wasn't the only city to experience freezing temperatures; Qurayyat recorded 0 degrees Celsius, reflecting the extreme cold in the border regions. Similarly, Tabuk and Hail recorded 3 degrees Celsius, while Arar and Sakaka reached 4 degrees Celsius, and Buraydah in the Qassim region recorded 5 degrees Celsius. These figures indicate the dominance of harsh winter weather across the northern and central parts of the Kingdom.
The geographical and climatic context of the cold wave
The northern regions of the Kingdom, specifically Tarif, Qurayyat, and the Northern Borders, possess a unique geographical location that makes them the primary passage for polar air masses originating from the northern hemisphere and passing through the Levant. Historically, Tarif is known as one of the coldest Saudi cities in winter, with residents accustomed to sub-zero temperatures and frost. This necessitates special preparations by both residents and service providers to cope with these harsh climatic conditions.
Accompanying weather phenomena: fog and frost
The National Center for Meteorology explained that the drop in temperatures is not isolated but is accompanied by increased surface wind activity and fog formation, leading to reduced horizontal visibility. This warning covers large parts of the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions, and extends to the northern parts of the Qassim and Eastern regions. The center also warned of a high probability of frost formation during the early morning hours, which could negatively impact crops and traffic on highways.
Rainfall conditions in the south and maritime navigation
In contrast to the dry and cold weather in the north, the weather forecast predicts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of light rain and fog in the southwestern highlands, specifically in parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions.
Regarding sea conditions, the Red Sea is experiencing rough seas, with northwesterly to northerly surface winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, while shifting to southeasterly in the southern part. Wave heights may reach two meters towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, necessitating caution for seafarers and fishermen. As for the Arabian Gulf, it is experiencing relatively active northwesterly winds in its northern part, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one and a half meters.
