Saudi Arabia weather: Winds and dust in 7 regions, and warnings issued by the Meteorology Department
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report, forecasting continued surface wind activity that will stir up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility across large parts of the Kingdom. The forecast covers seven main regions: Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and extending to parts of Najran, as well as Makkah, Madinah, and Tabuk, particularly their coastal areas.
Background of dust phenomena in the Kingdom
Dust storms and dust-laden winds are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, due to its predominantly desert geography. Vast deserts such as the Empty Quarter and the Great Nafud cover large areas of the country. These phenomena are particularly active during seasonal transitions and throughout the summer, when differences in atmospheric pressure cause strong winds, such as the seasonal northerly winds, to carry enormous quantities of sand and dust from the arid desert regions over long distances, affecting air quality and visibility in many cities and regions.
Expected effects and safety guidelines
These weather conditions have direct impacts on public health and daily life. From a health perspective, asthma and respiratory patients, the elderly, and children are advised to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary, and to wear protective masks to minimize dust inhalation. Regarding transportation, reduced horizontal visibility, which can drop to between 1 and 3 kilometers in some areas, increases the risk of driving on highways, necessitating extreme caution and reduced speed. Air and sea traffic may also be affected, potentially leading to delays or rescheduling of some flights and ship movements in ports.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Red Sea: Surface winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at speeds of 20-48 km/h in the northern and central parts, and northwesterly to northerly at speeds of 12-38 km/h in the southern part. Wave heights will range from 1 to 2.5 meters in the northern and central parts, and from 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the southern part, resulting in a moderate to rough sea state in the north and central regions, and a slight to moderate sea state in the south.
Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be northwesterly to southwesterly at a speed of 20-45 km/h, with wave heights ranging between one and two meters, and the sea state will be moderately rough.
Special alert for the Eastern Province
The center issued a special alert for the Eastern Province, indicating that it will be affected by blowing dust and strong winds starting at 7:00 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. The alert covers the governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Khafji, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq, accompanied by a near-total decrease in horizontal visibility and high waves.
