Today's weather: Al Qurayyat 3 degrees and stable conditions in most areas
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced details of the expected weather conditions today, Thursday, January 8, as the Kingdom’s regions will witness a noticeable variation in temperatures, with cold weather prevailing in the northern regions and the southern highlands, amidst general atmospheric stability prevailing in most areas.
A noticeable drop in temperatures
In monitoring the lowest recorded temperatures, Al-Qurayyat Governorate topped the list with a low of only 3 degrees Celsius, reflecting the harsh winter weather conditions prevailing in the northern regions at this time of year. Al-Qurayyat was not alone in experiencing this drop; Khamis Mushait Governorate recorded 4 degrees Celsius, followed by the cities of Abha and Tarif, both at 5 degrees Celsius. This necessitates that residents take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from colds.
Weather phenomena: fog and stability
The weather report indicated that the weather will be generally stable across most of the Kingdom, offering a good opportunity for outdoor activities during the daytime. However, the center warned of reduced horizontal visibility due to fog formation during the night and early morning hours. The likelihood of fog formation includes parts of the Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions, as well as the southern parts of the Eastern Province, requiring extreme caution from drivers on highways in these areas.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the Red Sea is experiencing northwesterly to northerly surface winds in its northern part, while southeasterly to southwesterly winds prevail in its central and southern parts. Wind speeds range between 12 and 35 km/h, reaching up to 45 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with wave heights reaching up to two meters in that area.
As for the Arabian Gulf, it is experiencing relative stability with northwesterly winds at a speed ranging between 10 and 28 km/h, and a slight wave height ranging between half a meter to a meter, making the sea conditions suitable for normal marine activities.
Climate context and general advice
This drop in temperatures coincides with the peak of winter in the Kingdom, where northern regions such as Al-Qurayyat and Tarif are known for their near-freezing climate due to their geographical location and altitude. This period of the year, known locally as "Al-Shabṭ" or the peak of cold, is typically characterized by such low temperatures.
In such weather conditions, experts advise wearing heavy winter clothing, especially for children and the elderly, and exercising caution while driving in areas experiencing heavy fog, while regularly monitoring official weather bulletins to learn about any emergency changes in the weather.
