Al Qurayyat records 2 degrees Celsius: Details of today's weather in Saudi Arabia
Northern regions of Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant and sharp drop in temperatures on Tuesday, with Al-Qurayyat Governorate recording the lowest minimum temperature of only two degrees Celsius, reflecting the peak of the cold wave currently affecting the region.
Temperature details in northern cities
According to the data released, Al-Qurayyat was not the only area experiencing extremely cold weather. Tabuk and Hail recorded temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius, while Arar and Sakaka reached 4 degrees Celsius. In the Qassim region, Buraidah recorded 5 degrees Celsius, and the lowest temperature in Rafha reached 6 degrees Celsius, prompting residents and highway users to take precautions.
National Center for Meteorology Report
The National Center for Meteorology explained in its weather report for today that the noticeable drop in temperatures is accompanied by several weather phenomena, most notably active surface winds stirring up dust and sand in some areas, and the formation of dense fog that may reduce horizontal visibility. This condition includes large parts of the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions, and extends to include the northern parts of the Qassim and Eastern regions.
Climatic context and frost formation
This cold wave is part of the typical winter weather patterns in the northern regions of the Kingdom, which are usually affected by cold air masses coming from the north and northwest. The center warned of a high probability of frost formation during the early morning hours in these areas, posing a risk to crops and requiring farmers to take necessary precautions, in addition to its effect on vehicles skidding on open roads.
Weather conditions in the southern highlands
In contrast, and reflecting the Kingdom's great climatic diversity, the southern regions are experiencing different weather conditions. The report indicated that the sky will be partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain. This rain will be accompanied by fog in parts of the highlands of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, creating a distinctive winter atmosphere in these tourist areas.
Sea conditions and wind patterns
Regarding maritime conditions, the report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, while they will be southeasterly to easterly in the southern part. Wind speeds may reach 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with wave heights potentially reaching two meters in those areas. As for the Arabian Gulf, it will experience relatively active northwesterly to northerly winds in its northern part, with sea conditions ranging from slight to moderate.
