Minimum temperatures in Saudi Arabia: Tarif 3°C and Dammam 12°C

The National Center for Meteorology issued its periodic report on the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, revealing a noticeable variation in the minimum temperatures recorded Thursday night/Friday morning across different regions and cities of the Kingdom. The data showed a significant drop in temperatures in the northern regions and a more moderate temperature in the coastal areas, with Dammam recording 12 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Tarif and Qurayyat reached very low levels.

List of minimum temperatures in Saudi cities

According to official data from the meteorological department, the recorded temperatures were as follows:

• The coldest areas: Tarif recorded the lowest temperature at 3 degrees Celsius, followed by Al Qurayyat at 4 degrees, then Al Sawda at 5 degrees, and Arar at 6 degrees Celsius.
• Eastern and Central Region: Dammam, Riyadh and Al Majma’ah recorded 12 degrees Celsius, while Al Ahsa and Al Dahna desert recorded 9 degrees Celsius.
• Western and coastal regions: Jeddah, Mecca and Al Qunfudhah maintained warmer weather, with Mecca and Jeddah recording 22 degrees Celsius, and Jazan 24 degrees Celsius.
• Other cities: Temperatures ranged between 8 in Hail, Abha and Rafha, and 15 in Medina and Al Wajh.

The climatic and geographical context of the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is characterized by a wide geographical and topographical diversity that directly impacts its climate. At this time of year, the northern regions (such as Tarif, Qurayyat, and Arar) are affected by cold air masses coming from the north, causing them to record the lowest temperatures in the country, often approaching or falling below freezing at the height of winter.

In contrast, bodies of water play a major role in moderating the atmosphere in coastal cities such as Jeddah, Dammam and Jazan, as marine humidity prevents a sharp drop in temperatures, which explains the large difference of more than 20 degrees Celsius between Tarif and Jazan on the same night.

The importance of following weather reports

These daily reports are of paramount importance to citizens and residents, as they directly affect daily life patterns:

1. Personal preparedness: Knowing the minimum temperatures helps in choosing appropriate clothing, especially for children and the elderly in areas experiencing cold waves, to avoid winter illnesses and colds.
2. Road safety: The drop in temperatures is often accompanied by fog in the early morning hours or frost on highways in the northern and highland regions, which calls for caution while driving.
3. The agricultural sector: Farmers in regions such as Hail, Al-Jawf and Tabuk rely on this data to take the necessary measures to protect crops from potential frost waves that could harm agricultural production.

The National Center of Meteorology continues to monitor weather fluctuations and issue early warnings to ensure everyone's safety, calling on everyone to follow its official platforms to obtain accurate and up-to-date information.