Saudi Arabia experienced a significant drop in temperatures on Tuesday in several northern regions, with the city of Tarif recording the lowest temperature in the Kingdom, reaching -1 degree Celsius, according to official data from the National Center for Meteorology. This drop is part of a period of atmospheric instability affecting large parts of the country, prompting calls for caution among citizens and residents.
List of the coldest cities in the Kingdom
The National Center of Meteorology's report detailed the minimum temperatures recorded, revealing that Tarif was not the only city to experience extreme cold; several other cities also saw temperatures approaching freezing. The recorded temperatures were ranked as follows:
- Tarif: -1 degrees Celsius (the lowest in the Kingdom).
- Al Qurayyat: 0 degrees Celsius (freezing point).
- Hail: 3 degrees Celsius.
- Tabuk: 3 degrees Celsius.
- Arar: 4 degrees Celsius.
- Buraidah: 5 degrees Celsius.
The climatic and geographical context of the northern regions
The northern regions of Saudi Arabia, particularly Tarif, Qurayyat, and Arar, are among the areas most affected by cold waves from the north during winter. This is due to their geographical features and high altitude, as well as their proximity to cold air masses originating from the Levant and Eastern Europe. These areas typically experience frost in the early morning hours, and temperatures sometimes plummet to record lows below zero, making them a popular destination for those seeking harsh winter weather. However, this also presents challenges related to heating and road safety.
Dust and sandstorm alerts in the Eastern Province
Coinciding with the cold front moving north, the National Center of Meteorology issued an important alert for the eastern region, warning of blowing dust and strong winds that will reduce horizontal visibility. According to the report, the conditions will begin at 11:00 PM on Tuesday and continue until 9:00 AM on Wednesday.
The areas affected by this weather system include Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Ahsa, and Abqaiq. The accompanying effects range from strong, dust-raising winds and near-zero horizontal visibility (1-3 kilometers) to high waves along the coasts.
Public safety recommendations
Due to these weather fluctuations, weather experts and relevant authorities advise following safety guidelines, especially for drivers on highways in the Eastern Province due to reduced visibility, and for residents of northern regions to secure appropriate heating and heavy winter clothing to avoid colds and frost effects.
