The National Center for Meteorology issued an important weather alert today, Tuesday, for the Al-Jawf region, warning of continued dust storms and sandstorms that are significantly reducing horizontal visibility in several governorates of the region. This alert is part of the center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Weather details and affected areas
The center explained in its detailed report that the weather conditions include the city of Sakaka and the governorates of Dumat al-Jandal, Qurayyat, and Tabarjal. The report predicted that Sakaka and Dumat al-Jandal would experience dust storms accompanied by strong winds, potentially reducing horizontal visibility to 1 kilometer or less. Meanwhile, the governorates of Qurayyat and Tabarjal would be affected by blowing dust and strong winds, leading to near-zero visibility, ranging from 1 to 3 kilometers. The center indicated that these weather conditions would continue until 2:00 AM on Wednesday.
The geographical and climatic context of the Al-Jawf region
The Al-Jawf region, located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, is characterized by its open desert landscape, making it susceptible to strong winds that stir up dust and sand, particularly during seasonal transitions. These geographical factors play a key role in the formation of dust storms, the effects of which can sometimes extend to neighboring areas. Early monitoring of these events by the National Center for Meteorology is a fundamental component of the national system for mitigating environmental and climatic risks.
The importance of warnings and their impact on public safety
These warnings are of paramount importance given the direct impact of dust storms on several sectors, most notably transportation and public health. In transportation, the lack of visibility poses a significant risk on highways connecting the governorates of Al-Jawf to each other or to border and international areas, necessitating extreme caution from drivers. From a health perspective, the suspended dust particles pose a danger to those with respiratory illnesses, asthma, and allergies, requiring preventative measures.
Safety and prevention guidelines
In light of these conditions, experts and relevant authorities advise following public safety guidelines, which include avoiding going out into open areas except when absolutely necessary, especially for those with respiratory illnesses, and the importance of wearing protective masks. Drivers are also advised to maintain sufficient distance between vehicles, use hazard lights when necessary, and adhere to speed limits or come to a complete stop if visibility is poor, to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
