Early morning fog covers 5 Saudi regions... and the Meteorology Department issues a warning
Warning from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a weather alert on Friday, indicating the formation of light fog in scattered areas across five major regions. The center explained in its report that this weather phenomenon will reduce horizontal visibility, necessitating caution, especially for drivers on highways and main roads.
According to the report, the fog will persist until 6:00 AM in some areas, while in others it will extend until 8:00 AM. The accompanying effects include reduced visibility of between 3 and 5 kilometers, necessitating reduced speed and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to avoid accidents.
The climatic context of the fog phenomenon in Saudi Arabia
Fog formation is a natural phenomenon that occurs when air near the Earth's surface cools to the dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets that remain suspended in the air. The causes of fog formation vary across the Kingdom due to its diverse topography. In coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and Jazan, high humidity from bodies of water contributes to its formation, while in mountainous regions like Asir, lower temperatures play a key role in its condensation, especially during autumn and winter. These periodic warnings from the National Center of Meteorology are an essential part of the Kingdom's disaster risk management system, contributing to raising public awareness and enhancing road safety.
Affected areas and their potential impact
The alert covered five regions with specific details for the affected governorates and cities, as follows:
- Eastern Region: Many.
- Tabuk region: Tabuk city.
- Al-Jawf region: Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal.
- Jazan region: Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub.
- Asir region: Abha, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, and Khamis Mushait.
The most direct impact of this phenomenon is on the transportation sector. Besides affecting traffic flow, dense fog can sometimes cause delays or rescheduling of flights at smaller local airports. Therefore, relevant authorities such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense emphasize the importance of monitoring weather updates and adhering to issued instructions to ensure everyone's safety.
Friday's weather overview
In general, the National Center for Meteorology expects parts of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province to experience active winds stirring up dust and sand, with a chance of light rain. The chance of rain also extends to the highlands of Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan. Meanwhile, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders regions will experience a drop in temperatures accompanied by active winds that will reduce horizontal visibility.
