Saudi Arabia weather: Winds and dust in 10 regions for the weekend
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important report on the expected weather conditions in the coming days, announcing the continuation of unstable weather characterized by strong surface winds that will stir up dust and sand, in addition to high waves along the coasts. The center explained that these weather conditions will begin to have direct effects starting tomorrow, Monday, and will continue until the end of the week, urging citizens and residents to take precautions.
Details of the weather conditions and affected areas
According to the center's forecast, wind activity will be noticeably strong during daylight hours, beginning to affect the Tabuk, Madinah, and Makkah regions, including their coastal areas, potentially reducing horizontal visibility at times. The impact will not be limited to the west but will extend to the Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Hail regions.
As the weather system progresses, the geographical reach of the winds and dust expands to include central, eastern, and southern regions of the Kingdom, specifically Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and as far south as Najran. This wide range indicates a high-pressure system affecting vast areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
Expected effects and the importance of the warning
These warnings are particularly important given Saudi Arabia's geography; the open desert areas contribute to the rapid formation of dust storms when winds are active. This weather pattern is expected to affect traffic on highways connecting different regions, especially long, open roads such as the Riyadh-Dammam highway or coastal roads, as the dust will reduce horizontal visibility. Drivers are therefore required to adhere to speed limits and maintain safe following distances.
On the maritime front, the report indicates high waves, which directly affect maritime activities for both fishermen and tourists, especially on the western coasts overlooking the Red Sea, which necessitates following marine bulletins before setting sail.
Safety tips and guidelines
In these conditions, health experts consistently advise those with respiratory illnesses, asthma, and the elderly to avoid direct exposure to dust and sand, and to wear masks when going outside. These ongoing warnings from the National Center of Meteorology reflect the authorities' commitment to protecting lives and property, and to activating the early warning system to ensure the public receives accurate information in a timely manner so that necessary precautions can be taken.
