Friday's weather details in Saudi Arabia: Winds and dust hit 5 regions

The National Center for Meteorology announced details of Friday's weather in Saudi Arabia, warning of significant weather fluctuations including active winds and dust storms affecting several regions of the Kingdom. These forecasts are part of the center's regular monitoring of weather conditions to ensure the safety of citizens and residents, and these conditions necessitate taking precautions, especially for those using highways and open areas.

Map of areas affected by Friday's weather changes in Saudi Arabia

According to the official statement issued by the Meteorology Department, the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, which significantly reduces horizontal visibility, continues across large parts of the Riyadh and Eastern Provinces. This impact is not limited to these two regions but extends to the Najran region, as well as parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions. At the same time, meteorologists do not rule out the formation of thunderstorms with rain over parts of the Asir highlands, creating unsettled weather conditions that combine dust in some areas with rain in others.

Climatic features and typical weather fluctuations in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is known for its arid and semi-arid desert climate, characterized by sharp weather fluctuations during the transitional periods between seasons. Historically, surface winds that stir up dust and sand have been a recurring weather phenomenon in the Arabian Peninsula. These dust storms form as a result of differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure, leading to active winds that carry sand from vast deserts such as the Empty Quarter and the Nafud Desert. While these climatic variations play a role in shaping the desert environment, they require constant preparedness from relevant authorities to effectively manage their consequences.

The effects of the weather on daily life and the local economy

These weather changes have direct impacts on various vital sectors in the Kingdom. Locally, the dust storms affect traffic and land transport due to reduced horizontal visibility, prompting the General Directorate of Traffic to activate its emergency plans to prevent accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow. These conditions also affect public health, particularly for those with respiratory illnesses and asthma, with the Ministry of Health consistently advising people to stay indoors and wear masks when necessary. Regionally, wind patterns in Saudi Arabia are linked to the climatic systems of the Arabian Gulf and neighboring countries, making Saudi weather forecasts a crucial reference for the entire region in tracking dust storms and air and sea navigation.

Maritime navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

The National Center of Meteorology explained the details of the sea conditions that are of interest to fishermen, coastal visitors, and commercial shipping:

Red Sea:

• Surface winds: They will be northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 25 to 45 km/h over the northern and central parts, while they will be southwesterly to northwesterly at a speed of 10 to 30 km/h over the southern part.
• Wave height: ranging from one to two meters on the northern and central parts, and from half a meter to one and a half meters on the southern part.
• Sea state: Moderate waves in the northern and central parts, and light to moderate waves in the southern part.

The Arabian Gulf:

• Surface winds: Northwesterly to westerly at a speed of 12 to 38 km/h, and may reach 45 km/h in the northern and central parts.
• Wave height: from half a meter to one and a half meters, and may reach two meters in the northern and central parts.
• Sea state: Light to moderate waves.