Zero degrees Celsius in Saudi Arabia: Weather in Arar and Tarif, and forecast for Riyadh
Northern regions of Saudi Arabia experienced a sharp drop in temperatures on Sunday, January 4th, with temperatures nearing freezing in a typical winter weather phenomenon. The provinces of Arar, Qurayyat, and Tarif recorded the lowest temperatures at 0°C, reflecting the start of a strong cold wave affecting the northern parts of the country. Rafha recorded a low of 3°C, while Sakaka saw a low of 4°C.
Details of the National Center for Meteorology report
The National Center for Meteorology explained in its daily report that this noticeable drop in temperatures will continue, accompanied by active surface winds that may increase the feeling of cold. These effects will include the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, gradually extending to parts of Hail and Al-Qassim, reaching the capital, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. The center also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming in parts of these areas, urging caution while driving on highways.
The climatic and geographical context of the cold wave
The northern regions of the Kingdom, specifically Tarif and Qurayyat, are considered the primary gateway for cold air masses arriving from Siberia and Eastern Europe via the Levant. Historically, Tarif is known as one of the coldest cities in Saudi Arabia, having recorded record sub-zero temperatures in previous winter seasons, making a zero-degree Celsius reading an indicator of the onset of the peak of the coldest period known as Al-Murabba'aniyah or Al-Shabat.
The impact of this weather condition is not limited to coldness only, but the Meteorology Department warned of the formation of frost during the night and early morning hours in parts of the north of the Kingdom, which may directly affect the agricultural sector and winter crops, in addition to its impact on morning traffic.
Wind, dust, and sea conditions
In a related context, the report indicated that active winds stirring up dust and sand will affect horizontal visibility in parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions. Regarding maritime conditions, the Red Sea is experiencing northeasterly to northerly surface winds, shifting to northwesterly in the evening over the northern and central parts, with speeds reaching 45 km/h. Wind speeds towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are expected to reach 50 km/h, resulting in waves exceeding two meters in height.
In the Arabian Gulf, the winds are active northwesterly at a speed of between 25 and 50 km/h, with wave heights reaching up to two and a half meters, making the sea conditions rough and unsuitable for small boats and fishing at times.
