The National Center for Meteorology, revealed details of weather conditions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating the continuation of unstable weather affecting large areas of the country. The current weather conditions are characterized by significant surface wind activity that is stirring up dust and sand, necessitating caution from citizens and residents, especially drivers on highways.
Areas affected by wind and dust
The report explained that the impact of strong winds reducing horizontal visibility will extend to the eastern parts of the Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah . This condition will also affect large areas of the Riyadh, Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions , reaching as far as the northern parts of the Eastern Province . In a significant development, the center warned of near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of the Tabuk due to dense dust.
Chance of rain and fog
Despite the dust storm, there remains a chance of light rain in parts of the western highlands of the Kingdom. This weather pattern is accompanied by the possibility of fog forming during the early morning and late night hours in parts of the Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan highlands, adding another challenge for those traveling on mountain roads.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the Red Sea northwesterly to northerly surface winds in its northern and central parts, reaching speeds of up to 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba. This is causing waves to rise to more than 2.5 meters, resulting in rough sea conditions. In the southern part, the winds are southeasterly to southerly. Meanwhile, the Arabian Gulf relatively stable conditions with northwesterly winds and light waves ranging from half a meter to one meter in height.
Special alerts for the Riyadh region
The center issued a special alert for the Riyadh region regarding dust storms, with the phenomenon expected to begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM. The alert covers the following governorates:
- Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway'iyah, Afif.
- As-Sulayyil, Wadi Ad-Dawasir.
- Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma’ah, Shaqra.
This condition is accompanied by a decrease in horizontal visibility ranging between (3 - 5) kilometers.
Context of the weather situation and the importance of warnings
These weather fluctuations are occurring during transitional periods in the Kingdom's atmosphere, characterized by increased surface wind activity due to temperature and atmospheric pressure differences. These warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology are of paramount importance for public safety, as dust storms directly impact the transportation sector and require those with respiratory conditions to take necessary precautions to avoid health complications.
