Riyadh weather today: Dust storms, strong winds, and urgent warnings
The National Center for Meteorology issued an important warning regarding the expected weather conditions, indicating surface wind activity and dust and sandstorms in large parts of the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province, which calls for caution, especially for those using highways and open areas.
Weather details for Riyadh and the Eastern Province
The center's report indicated that the dust storm will continue to affect the region during the evening hours, with the alert covering the governorates of Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, and Wadi Ad-Dawasir in the Riyadh region. The phenomenon is expected to persist until 9:00 PM. This condition will be accompanied by a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, requiring extra caution from drivers.
In the Eastern Province, the alerts included the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, and Abqaiq. These weather fluctuations are part of the usual wind activity at this time of year, with desert and open areas affected by wind patterns that stir up suspended dust.
A cold wave is affecting the northern and central regions
Regarding temperatures, the Kingdom is experiencing a noticeable drop, with cold to very cold weather prevailing across large parts of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and Hail regions. The cold air mass also extends its influence to parts of Al-Qassim, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. These cold waves are a typical feature of winter in the Kingdom, as the country is affected by high-pressure systems coming from the north, which contribute to a significant decrease in temperatures, especially during the night and early morning hours.
Rain and fog forecast
The weather forecast not only predicted dust and cold temperatures, but also indicated a chance of scattered rain. The sky was expected to be partly to mostly cloudy over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah, and possibly extending to parts of Riyadh and the Eastern Province. These winter rains are considered very important for irrigating the soil and improving vegetation cover in those areas.
The center also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the night and early morning hours, leading to zero or near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of the highlands and northern regions such as the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk. Citizens and residents are advised to regularly follow official weather forecasts to avoid any risks that may arise from sudden weather changes.
