Meteorology: Light fog and reduced visibility in 5 Saudi regions today

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important alert regarding the expected weather conditions, indicating that large parts of five administrative regions will be affected by the phenomenon of light fog, which calls for caution and vigilance on the part of citizens and residents, especially those using highways and open roads during the early morning hours.

Weather details and warning timing

The weather report indicated that the weather conditions began in the early hours of Friday morning and are expected to continue until 8:00 AM. The phenomenon is characterized by the formation of light fog, reducing horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This condition is a result of high relative humidity and low minimum temperatures, creating conditions conducive to water vapor condensation and fog formation.

Areas and cities affected by fog

The alert issued by the National Center for Meteorology included several cities and governorates distributed across five main regions, which are as follows:

• Eastern Province: The situation included Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, in addition to Al-Adid and Dha’balutan.
• Makkah Region: The weather conditions were concentrated on the coastal areas, specifically in the governorates of Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudhah.
• Asir region: The alert included the high-altitude areas and major cities such as Abha, Ahad Rafidah, and Khamis Mushait.
• Jazan region: Al Darb, Bish, Farasan Island and Jazan city were all affected.
• Northern Border Region: The situation included the governorates of Rafha and Al-Uwaiqilah.

The importance of warnings and safety guidelines

This warning is particularly important given the direct impact of fog on traffic flow and road safety. Authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Road Security, typically advise drivers in such conditions to adhere to safe driving practices, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, and use fog lights or low beam headlights instead of high beams, which can impair visibility due to light reflecting off water droplets.

The National Center for Meteorology is the official body authorized to monitor the weather and issue early warnings. These periodic reports contribute to raising the level of preparedness of government and service agencies, and help individuals to plan their daily trips safely, thus reducing the potential risks resulting from sudden weather fluctuations.