Al-Jawf weather: Warning of dense fog and zero visibility on Sunday
Warning of dense fog and zero visibility in Al-Jawf
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced warning regarding the expected weather conditions on Sunday in the Al-Jawf region, indicating the formation of a dense fog wave that could lead to near-zero horizontal visibility. According to the center's report, the governorates of Qurayyat and Tabuk and their surrounding areas will be particularly affected by this weather phenomenon.
The center explained that the fog's actual impact would begin in the early hours of Sunday morning, specifically from 1:00 AM, and was expected to last until 8:00 AM. During this period, horizontal visibility was likely to drop to critical levels of between 1 and 3 kilometers, and could fall even lower in some areas, posing a significant challenge to traffic and driver safety.
The climatic context of the Al-Jawf region
The Al-Jawf region, located in northern Saudi Arabia, has a desert climate characterized by significant temperature variations between day and night. This variation, especially during seasonal transitions, creates ideal conditions for radiation fog. This type of fog occurs when the ground cools rapidly after sunset, causing the air in contact with it to cool down to its dew point. Tiny water droplets in the air then condense, forming a dense fog that typically persists until sunrise and the surface temperature rises again.
Importance and expected effects
This warning is of paramount importance locally, as reduced visibility poses a direct threat to public safety. A network of vital roads passes through the Al-Jawf region, connecting it to other areas such as Tabuk and Hail, and it also serves as a major land gateway to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Relevant authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense, have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety guidelines, including reducing speed, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, using fog lights and low-beam headlights, and avoiding overtaking except in cases of absolute necessity. It is also advised to postpone non-essential travel during peak fog hours.
Regionally, fog may slightly affect logistics and commercial truck traffic crossing the area, potentially causing some delays. These warnings are part of the early warning system being developed by the National Center of Meteorology, which aims to enhance preparedness for various weather phenomena and protect lives and property, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of improving quality of life and safety.
It is worth noting that this warning comes within a broader weather situation affecting several regions in the Kingdom, as the center had warned on Saturday of surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand in parts of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Hail, Madinah, and Makkah regions, which necessitates continuous monitoring of weather updates from official sources.
