Arafat Day weather: Details of winds and dust across the Kingdom's regions
Millions of Muslims are awaiting details of the weather on the Day of Arafah, as the National Center for Meteorology revealed in its latest report the expected weather conditions for this blessed day. The center predicted the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand across large parts of Saudi Arabia, requiring caution from pilgrims and those working on the ground to ensure everyone's safety during the performance of the rituals.
The historical importance of monitoring weather conditions during Hajj
Throughout Islamic history, climatic conditions have been a crucial factor in the Hajj pilgrimage. In the past, pilgrims faced harsh challenges due to weather fluctuations, ranging from extreme heat to sandstorms and flash floods. With the development of the modern Saudi state, the wise leadership has committed itself to harnessing all available technological and human resources to ensure the comfort of pilgrims. Monitoring weather conditions, especially in the holy sites, is an extension of this historical legacy of caring for the guests of God. Weather forecasting has evolved from mere observations into a precise scientific system that utilizes artificial intelligence and satellites to ensure the stability and safety of the crowds.
The impact of the weather on the Day of Arafah on the pilgrims and organizational efforts
The weather on the Day of Arafah holds immense importance, extending beyond the local level to encompass regional and international dimensions, given the presence of millions of pilgrims from all corners of the earth in a specific geographical area. Any change in weather conditions, such as dust storms, directly impacts crowd management plans, transportation, and healthcare services. Locally, all government sectors mobilize their resources based on these forecasts to provide a safe environment equipped with the highest safety standards. Internationally, this high level of preparedness and transparency in disseminating weather information reflects the Kingdom's success in efficiently and effectively managing the world's largest annual human gathering, thus instilling confidence in Muslims worldwide.
Weather details across the Kingdom's regions
According to the National Center for Meteorology's report, the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand extends to parts of the Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions. The impact also includes parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Najran regions, and extends to the eastern parts of the Asir and Al-Baha regions. This necessitates caution due to reduced horizontal visibility in these areas and adherence to traffic and health safety guidelines.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
As for surface winds over the Red Sea, they are northwesterly to northerly at speeds ranging from 25 to 50 km/h in the northern and central parts, and northwesterly to westerly at speeds of 15 to 32 km/h in the southern part. Wave heights reach 1.5 to 2.5 meters in the northern and central parts, resulting in a moderate to rough sea state, while the sea state is slight to moderate in the south. In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds are northerly to northwesterly, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to 1.5 meters, and sea conditions are slight to moderate.
Modern technologies for monitoring the weather on the Day of Arafah
In a related context, Dr. Turki Habibullah, General Supervisor of Hajj and Umrah Operations at the Meteorology Center, explained that the center is monitoring the weather conditions in Arafat moment by moment. This precise monitoring is achieved through a sophisticated network of modern technologies, including weather radars, satellite imagery, and both automated and manned stations. Mobile stations are also utilized to measure the upper atmosphere, which effectively contributes to ensuring the accuracy of weather forecasts and meeting the needs of all entities working in the field to serve the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God and facilitate the performance of their rituals with ease and comfort.
