Riyadh weather today: Dust storms and a cold wave hitting 4 regions

The National Center for Meteorology issued an important alert regarding the expected weather conditions on Wednesday, warning of significant weather fluctuations including surface wind activity and dust and sandstorms across large parts of the Riyadh region, coinciding with a cold wave affecting the northern regions of the Kingdom.

Weather details in Riyadh

The weather report indicated that the weather conditions in the Riyadh region are characterized by blowing dust, leading to near-zero horizontal visibility, ranging between 1 and 3 kilometers. This phenomenon began in the early morning hours (between 3 and 5 AM) and its effects are expected to continue until 5 PM today.

The areas affected by this alert include a wide range of governorates and districts, namely: Riyadh, Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiyah, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Al-Hariq, Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Ad-Dawadmi, Ar-Rayn, Al-Quway'iyah, and Afif. These conditions require caution, especially for those traveling on highways and open roads connecting these governorates.

A cold wave and frost in the north of the Kingdom

In a related development, the center warned of a cold wave affecting the northern parts of the Kingdom during the early morning hours, continuing until 8:00 AM. This wave will cause a significant drop in temperatures, ranging between 0°C and -3°C, creating conditions conducive to frost formation.

The areas affected by the cold wave include:

• Hail region: (Hail city, Baqaa, Muwaqq).
• Tabuk region: (Jabal Al-Lawz, Al-Aqan).
• Al-Jawf region: (Sakaka, Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, Tabarjal).
• Northern borders: (Arar, Tarif, Rafha, Al-Uwaiqilah).

Climate context and weather effects

These weather fluctuations are part of the typical climatic patterns in Saudi Arabia during the winter and spring transition periods. The region is affected by cold air masses coming from the north, which interact with the area's topography, leading to increased surface wind activity. Open and desert areas in the central part of the Kingdom, such as the Riyadh region, are more susceptible to dust storms due to the nature of the soil and the area's exposure to wind.

The importance of warnings and safety procedures

These warnings are of paramount importance for maintaining public safety, as the dust directly affects air quality, potentially causing health complications for those with respiratory conditions, asthma, and allergies. Experts advise wearing masks when going outside and keeping windows and doors tightly closed in such weather.

Regarding road safety, reduced visibility and frost on roads in northern regions increase the risk of traffic accidents. Therefore, authorities urge drivers to reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance, use appropriate lighting to cope with limited visibility, and stay updated on official weather forecasts to avoid unexpected weather conditions.