Saudi Meteorology: Polarization recedes and the cottony snow phenomenon returns
Various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are currently experiencing a state of severe atmospheric instability, as a result of the atmosphere being affected by a very cold polar air mass, which has led to a noticeable and sharp drop in temperatures, reaching below zero degrees Celsius in some highlands, in a climatic event that prompted the concerned authorities to mobilize and issue warnings to citizens and residents.
The rare phenomenon of "cotton snow"
In detailing the weather event that captured public attention, observational data confirmed a rare climatic phenomenon: the fall of what is known as "cotton snow." This differs from the usual hail, and the Hail, Qassim, and northern parts of the Riyadh region experienced this phenomenon. This type of weather occurs very infrequently in these areas, unlike the annual scene in the Tabuk highlands and the Al-Lawz and Al-Aqan mountains, which are typically blanketed in white during the winter season.
Expectations of a receding heatwave and details of temperatures
Aqeel Al-Aqeel, an analyst at the National Center for Meteorology, explained that the current cold wave is caused by a polar low-pressure system, resulting in strong winds and a drop in temperatures across most regions. Al-Aqeel predicted that the wave will soon subside, with its intensity expected to gradually decrease starting next Sunday and Monday, allowing temperatures to return to their normal seasonal levels.
Regarding the recorded figures, the stations recorded extremely low temperatures; Taif Airport (Al-Hawiyah) recorded only one degree Celsius, while the automatic stations on the peaks of the Tabuk mountains, such as Al-Shafa and Al-Hada, recorded zero and below-zero temperatures, reflecting the severity of the cold in the highlands.
Climate context and the beginning of winter
These weather fluctuations come at a time when the center has clarified that the Kingdom entered the meteorological winter season at the beginning of December, while the astronomical winter will begin on the 21st of this month. This timing indicates that we are still in the early stages of the season, which opens the door to the possibility of continued weather fluctuations and winter rainfall, especially in the northern, central, and eastern regions during the coming weeks.
Wave effects and preventive warnings
The cold air mass's impact wasn't limited to inland and mountainous areas; it extended to coastal regions including Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. Dry easterly winds exacerbated the feeling of cold, while dust and sandstorms reduced horizontal visibility in the eastern and central regions due to atmospheric pressure differences.
In the interest of public safety and the protection of economic resources, the National Center of Meteorology issued urgent warnings to farmers and livestock breeders to take the necessary measures to protect their crops and livestock from expected frost waves, especially in areas that have recently experienced rainfall, as frost poses a real threat to local agricultural production.
The center also stressed the importance of community awareness regarding heating methods, strongly warning against the use of coal or firewood in enclosed spaces to avoid accidents of suffocation from toxic carbon monoxide gas, and advising picnickers to stay away from coastal areas at the present time due to high waves and active winds.
