Today's weather in Saudi Arabia: Rain, fog, and weather alerts

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather for Wednesday across Saudi Arabia, indicating the continuation of the unstable weather conditions typical of this time of year. The report included forecasts of scattered rain and dense fog, which may reduce horizontal visibility in the early morning hours.

Weather details and affected areas

The center explained in its statement that there is still a chance of light rain in scattered parts of the Al-Baha, Makkah, Hail, and Northern Borders regions. This is part of the usual weather patterns experienced in these areas, where the western and southwestern highlands are affected by moist air currents that contribute to the formation of rain clouds.

In a related context, the report warned of the possibility of fog forming over large parts of the Kingdom, urging caution, especially for drivers on highways and open roads. Areas expected to be affected by fog include Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah, in addition to parts of the Riyadh and Eastern Provinces, where surface humidity levels are increasing, contributing to fog condensation.

State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding the marine conditions, the report indicated the following wind patterns and wave heights:

• Red Sea: Surface winds are active, blowing from the northwest to the north in the northern and central parts, and shifting to southeasterly and southerly in the southern part. Wind speeds range from 20 to 40 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Wave heights range from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching two and a half meters towards the strait, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions in those areas.
• Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be northerly to northwesterly at a speed of 15 to 35 km/h, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one and a half meters, and the sea state will be light to moderate.

The importance of following weather forecasts and their impact

The National Center of Meteorology's reports are of paramount importance in guiding the daily activities of citizens and residents, especially given the climate changes the region is experiencing. These forecasts play a pivotal role in planning land and air travel, as dense fog often leads to reduced horizontal visibility, requiring drivers to adhere to traffic safety instructions, such as using fog lights and maintaining a safe following distance.

Geographically, the Kingdom is characterized by a wide topographical diversity that directly affects the weather conditions; while the coastal areas experience high humidity, mountainous areas such as Asir and Al-Baha enjoy cooler weather and higher chances of rainfall, which reflects the environmental and climatic diversity that Saudi Arabia enjoys.