Saudi Arabia weather today: Tarif and Al Qurayyat record 3 degrees Celsius with active winds
Northern regions of Saudi Arabia experienced a significant drop in temperatures during the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 27th, with the governorates of Tarif and Qurayyat recording the lowest minimum temperatures at just 3 degrees Celsius. This decrease is part of a cold wave affecting the northern and central regions, with Arar recording 4 degrees Celsius, followed by Al-Jawf and Tabuk at 5 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Rafha and Hail reached 6 degrees Celsius. The capital, Riyadh, and Al-Ahsa recorded 7 degrees Celsius.
National Center for Meteorology Report
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather report, indicating that weather maps show the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand. This weather pattern affects large parts of the Najran, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and Northern Borders regions. Weather experts typically warn of reduced horizontal visibility on highways and open roads in such conditions, urging drivers to exercise caution while driving.
climatic and seasonal context
This cold wave coincides with the peak of winter in the Kingdom, when northern regions are typically exposed to cold air masses from the north, causing cities like Tarif and Qurayyat to experience temperatures near or below freezing. Such weather is a natural part of the Arabian Peninsula's climate at this time of year, necessitating that residents wear heavy winter clothing and use safe heating methods.
Chance of rain and fog
In contrast to the dry and dusty conditions in the central and northern regions, there remains a chance of light rain over the southern and western highlands. The forecast includes parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions, extending to the highlands of the Makkah region. The center also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the early morning and late night hours in parts of these areas, as well as along the coastal areas of the Eastern Province, which could negatively impact land navigation.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the report explained that the surface wind movement on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northeasterly on the northern and central parts at a speed of up to 30 km/h, while it will be southeasterly to easterly on the southern part, and its speed may reach 50 km/h towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which will lead to a wave height of up to two and a half meters, and the sea condition will be rough in that area.
In the Arabian Gulf, the winds will be variable in direction from northwesterly to northerly, later turning to southeasterly at a speed of up to 32 km/h, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and one and a half meters, and the sea state will be light to moderate.
