The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for Wednesday, indicating continued weather fluctuations affecting several regions of the Kingdom. The report included forecasts of continued active winds stirring up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility—a common weather phenomenon at this time of year due to the region's desert geography.
Areas affected by wind and dust
The report indicated that the impact of active winds and the accompanying dust storms will affect large parts of eight major regions: the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Al-Qassim, Madinah, Makkah, and Riyadh . This weather pattern will also extend to parts of the Eastern Province . This weather event is part of the climatic changes the Kingdom is experiencing, characterized by active surface winds that carry dust particles. Therefore, caution is advised, especially for those using highways and open roads.
In a related context, the center did not rule out the formation of fog during the night and early morning hours on the coastal parts of the southwest of the Kingdom, which may relatively affect visibility in those areas.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime traffic, the report provided detailed information on the situation in Bahrain:
- Red Sea: Surface winds will be northwesterly to northerly in the northern and central parts, shifting to southeasterly and southwesterly in the southern part, with speeds ranging from 15 to 30 km/h. Wave height is estimated at half a meter to one and a half meters, with sea conditions ranging from slight to moderate.
- Arabian Gulf: Surface winds are moving from southeast to southwest at a speed of 15-32 km/h, and may reach a speed of 40 km/h in the northern part, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and one and a half meters.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
The National Center for Meteorology issued an advanced warning for the Eastern Province regarding "blowing dust," with the phenomenon expected to begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 7:00 PM. This warning covers the governorates of Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya . This condition is expected to reduce horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers.
The importance of caution
These reports are of paramount importance to citizens and residents, as experts consistently advise against speeding on highways in such conditions due to reduced visibility. Those with respiratory illnesses and asthma are also advised to take necessary precautions to avoid inhaling dust. Following official weather forecasts is essential for planning daily activities and avoiding potential risks arising from weather fluctuations.
