Warnings of sandstorms in Saudi Arabia and their impact on visibility
The weather in Saudi Arabia is experiencing continuous fluctuations, with the National Center for Meteorology warning in its latest weather report for Monday of sandstorms and high-speed winds stirring up dust and sand in several regions. These weather changes require extreme caution from citizens and residents, especially those traveling on highways, due to their direct impact on horizontal visibility and the safety of road navigation.
Geographical nature and history of sandstorm formation in the Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula, and Saudi Arabia in particular, is a region accustomed to these climatic phenomena. Historically, the transitions between seasons in the region have been marked by significant surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand. The desert landscape and vast open spaces play a major role in facilitating wind movement and the formation of widespread sandstorms. This phenomenon is not new; it is part of the regional climate system with which the region's inhabitants have long coexisted. However, global climate change in recent decades has increased the frequency and intensity of these storms, making monitoring weather reports crucial for daily life.
Weather details and areas affected by dust and rain
According to a report issued by the National Center for Meteorology, large parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk regions are expected to be affected by high-speed winds, leading to near-zero horizontal visibility. Meanwhile, active winds stirring up dust and sand will continue to affect parts of the Hail, Qassim, Eastern Province, and Najran regions. This effect may extend to near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of the Makkah region.
On the other hand, there remains a chance of thunderstorms and rain over parts of the highlands of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah, resulting in a noticeable variation in weather conditions on the same day. Meanwhile, hot to very hot weather will prevail in parts of western Saudi Arabia, including the extensive coastal areas.
Local and regional impacts of weather fluctuations
These weather alerts are of paramount importance both locally and regionally. Locally, these fluctuations directly impact land and air transport, as dust storms necessitate the activation of emergency plans at airports and on highways to minimize traffic accidents. They also affect public health, particularly for those with respiratory conditions and asthma, requiring the implementation of necessary medical precautions. Regionally, wind patterns in the Arabian Peninsula can carry dust masses across borders, affecting neighboring countries and requiring ongoing coordination among meteorological centers in the Gulf and Middle East to ensure the safety of air and maritime navigation.
Navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the report detailed the sea conditions. In the Red Sea, surface winds are southeasterly to southwesterly in the northern part, and northwesterly to northeasterly in the central and southern parts, with speeds ranging from 17 to 36 km/h. Wave heights range from half a meter to one and a half meters, resulting in a slight to moderate sea state.
For the Arabian Gulf, forecasts indicate that surface winds will be westerly to southwesterly in the northern part, and northwesterly to westerly in the central and southern parts, with speeds ranging from 15 to 35 km/h. Wave height is also expected to be between half a meter and one and a half meters, with a slight to moderate sea state, allowing for relatively stable maritime navigation despite the weather fluctuations over land.
