The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced warning, classified as a "red alert," cautioning against a strong dust storm directly impacting large parts of the Northern Borders and Al-Jawf regions. This warning coincides with unstable weather conditions affecting several regions across the Kingdom today, Wednesday. The alert is part of the ongoing monitoring of weather conditions to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Weather details and affected areas
The center explained in its daily report that the weather conditions will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 6:00 PM, with the aforementioned areas experiencing strong surface winds that will stir up dust and sand. The affected areas in the Northern Borders region include Al-Uwayqilah, Arar, and Tarif. The effects will extend to the Al-Jawf region, encompassing Dumat Al-Jandal, Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabuk. The report indicated that these storms will lead to near-zero horizontal visibility, with visibility expected to drop to one kilometer or less, necessitating extreme caution.
Safety guidelines and how to deal with dust storms
In these conditions, relevant authorities, including Civil Defense and the Ministry of Health, typically urge adherence to public safety guidelines. Experts advise against going out into open areas except when absolutely necessary, especially for those with respiratory illnesses and asthma, the elderly, and children, due to the irritants carried by the dust that could lead to health complications. Drivers on highways connecting northern cities are also advised to exercise extreme caution, use headlights, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, or come to a complete stop if visibility is zero to ensure road safety.
Red alert indicators and the importance of follow-up
The "Red Alert" is the highest level of alert in the National Center of Meteorology's automated early warning system. It signifies that the weather phenomenon is severe and requires immediate action and evacuation from danger zones. This classification reflects the commitment of relevant authorities to providing accurate and proactive information to mitigate potential risks resulting from natural disasters and extreme weather events that could affect lives and property.
Fog covers the eastern region
Meanwhile, the weather fluctuations were not limited to the northern regions but extended to the Eastern Province with different phenomena. The National Center for Meteorology warned of light fog forming during the early morning hours, from 1:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The warning included the cities and governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Nairyah, Al-Ahsa, Abqaiq, and Al-Udayd. The fog reduced horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, prompting a warning to motorists in those areas to exercise caution while driving in the morning.
