Saudi Arabia weather: Cold wave and sub-zero temperatures in 7 regions
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important and urgent alert to citizens and residents, indicating that the Kingdom's atmosphere will be affected by a strong cold wave, with its noticeable effects beginning next Saturday and continuing until Tuesday. This forecast comes as part of the ongoing monitoring of weather conditions and atmospheric fluctuations experienced in the region during the current winter season.
Weather details and affected areas
The center's report explained that the drop in temperatures will be noticeable and sharp at times, with minimum temperatures expected to range between 2 degrees Celsius above zero and 2 degrees below zero (-2). This polar wave will affect large areas of the Kingdom, with the center identifying seven main regions that will be most affected by this drop:
- Al-Jawf region
- Northern Border Region
- Tabuk region
- Hail region
- Al-Qassim region
- Riyadh region
- The northern parts of the Eastern Province
climatic context and the impact of air masses
This cold wave is part of the typical climatic features of winter in the Arabian Peninsula, where the region is usually affected at this time of year by the advance of cold polar air masses from the north and northwest. The northern regions of the Kingdom (Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders) are the first to receive these waves, making them the most likely to experience very low temperatures, before the cold air mass gradually moves towards the central (Riyadh and Al-Qassim) and eastern regions.
The importance of warnings and safety measures
This warning is particularly important given the impact of zero and sub-zero temperatures on daily life and public health. Weather experts and relevant authorities consistently urge the public to take necessary precautions in such conditions, including:
- Wearing heavy winter clothing: especially for children, the elderly, and residents of open and desert areas, to avoid colds and seasonal illnesses.
- Caution when using heating appliances: As the cold intensifies, the use of coal, wood, and electric heaters increases, which requires extreme caution and the provision of appropriate ventilation to avoid suffocation or fire incidents. These are tips that are repeated annually by the Civil Defense in conjunction with cold waves.
- Follow the weather forecasts: Due to the possibility of surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, which often accompanies cold air fronts, this may affect horizontal visibility on highways.
The National Center for Meteorology emphasizes the need to follow its daily reports and continuous updates through its official platforms to accurately learn about the developments in the weather situation and the details of temperatures for each governorate and city.
