Saudi Arabia weather today: Rain in Al-Baha, dust in Najran, and weather alerts
The National Center for Meteorology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued today a series of important weather alerts concerning the weather conditions in the Al-Baha and Najran regions, indicating weather fluctuations that require attention and caution from citizens, residents and highway users.
Weather details for the Al-Baha region
In its daily report, the National Center for Meteorology warned of scattered rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy in the Al-Baha region. The center explained that this weather system will be accompanied by active surface winds, which may reduce horizontal visibility in some areas, in addition to the possibility of thunderstorms.
The alert included the city of Al-Baha itself, as well as several of its governorates and affiliated centers: Al-Aqiq, Baljurashi, Al-Qura, Bani Hassan, and Al-Mandaq, in addition to the areas surrounding these regions. The center indicated that this rainy weather will continue, God willing, until 6:00 PM today.
Geographical and climatic context of Al-Baha
The Al-Baha region boasts a unique mountainous geography, situated on the Sarawat Mountains, making it prone to frequent thunderstorms, particularly during seasonal transitions. These rains are a vital source of groundwater and replenish the region's dams, which are renowned for their terraced agriculture. However, extreme caution is required when driving on mountain slopes due to the potential for landslides or dense fog accompanying the rain.
Weather conditions in the Najran region
On the other hand, and in a different climatic context, the center issued a warning for the Najran region regarding surface wind activity that will stir up dust and sand. This weather condition will lead to near-zero or very low horizontal visibility, dropping to between 3 and 5 kilometers.
The center explained that the effects of this weather system include the city of Najran and the governorates of Badr Al-Janoub, Habuna, Khubash, Yadma, and Thar. As in Al-Baha, this weather system is expected to continue until 6:00 PM.
The impact of wind and dust in Najran
The Najran region is affected by its geographical location bordering the Empty Quarter desert, making it susceptible to strong winds that stir up dust and sand, especially during periods of air mass changes. These weather phenomena directly impact air quality and horizontal visibility on open and express roads connecting the governorates, necessitating that drivers adhere to speed limits and maintain safe following distances.
Public safety recommendations
In light of these weather fluctuations, the relevant authorities, including the Civil Defense, emphasize the importance of following official weather bulletins, staying away from valleys and flood channels in rainy areas, and being cautious of flying objects or lack of visibility in areas experiencing dust storms, in order to preserve the safety of lives and property.
