Al-Jawf weather: Warning of winds and dust storms in Sakaka and its governorates
Advanced warning from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced weather alert today, Thursday, for the Al-Jawf region, warning of strong winds that will stir up dust and sand. The alert covers the city of Sakaka, as well as three major governorates: Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabuk. These weather conditions are expected to continue until 7:00 PM today.
Details of the weather conditions and their impact on visibility
According to the center's report, the city of Sakaka and the governorate of Dumat al-Jandal are expected to be affected by strong winds and blowing dust, leading to a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. In the governorates of Qurayyat and Tabuk, the situation is expected to be more severe, potentially reaching near-zero horizontal visibility (1-3 kilometers), increasing the danger of traveling on the roads.
The climatic context of the Al-Jawf region
The Al-Jawf region, located in northern Saudi Arabia, has an arid desert climate and is frequently affected by weather phenomena such as dust storms, especially during seasonal transitions. Its proximity to the Great Nafud Desert makes it vulnerable to strong winds that carry large quantities of sand and dust. These phenomena, known locally as "Al-Ajaj," are part of the region's climatic characteristics, and the National Center for Meteorology plays a vital role in monitoring them and issuing early warnings to mitigate their negative impact on the population.
Expected effects and the importance of warnings
This weather condition has direct impacts on several aspects of life. From a health perspective, asthma and respiratory patients, the elderly, and children are advised to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. If going out is unavoidable, they should wear protective masks. Regarding road safety, reduced visibility poses a significant risk to drivers, requiring extreme caution, reduced speed, and maintaining a safe following distance. Air traffic at Al-Jawf Regional Airport may also be slightly affected depending on the severity of the weather. Relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, emphasize the importance of following the alerts issued by the National Center for Meteorology and adhering to instructions to ensure everyone's safety.
