Saudi Arabia weather: Dense fog, warnings for 4 regions, and active winds
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather conditions , indicating that large parts of the Kingdom will be affected by varying weather phenomena, most notably the formation of dense fog that leads to low horizontal visibility levels, which calls for caution and vigilance on the part of drivers and highway users.
Weather and fog details
The weather report indicated that early Wednesday morning would see the formation of fog ranging from moderate to dense in parts of four major regions. This weather condition would cause near-zero horizontal visibility for a distance of 1-3 kilometers, while visibility could be completely obscured (less than 1 kilometer) in areas experiencing heavy fog. This is a recurring phenomenon at this time of year due to high relative humidity and low minimum temperatures.
Areas affected by fog
The center identified the cities and governorates covered by the alert, with the situation concentrated primarily in the Eastern Province due to its proximity to the Arabian Gulf. These included Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Khafji, Dhahran, Qatif, Abqaiq, Ras Tanura, Al Udayd, Salwa, and Al-Ahsa. The alert also extended to parts of Madinah Al-Jawf region (Al-Qurayyat and Tabuk), and the Jazan , encompassing Ad-Darb, Baysh, Abu Arish, Ahad Al Masarihah, At-Tuwal, Al-Fatihah, Samtah, Sabya, and Damad.
Climate context and weather effects
These weather fluctuations are occurring during the transitional period the Kingdom is experiencing. This period is typically characterized by the overlapping of air masses, leading to increased surface wind activity and the formation of radiation fog, particularly in coastal and agricultural areas. The Kingdom's diverse geography plays a significant role in these weather variations, with the eastern and western regions influenced by maritime humidity, while the northern and central regions are affected by air masses originating from the north.
In practice, these phenomena directly affect traffic flow, especially during the morning rush hour when employees and students are commuting to work and school. Authorities, such as the Special Forces for Road Security, consistently emphasize the importance of using fog lights, reducing speed, and maintaining a safe following distance to avoid traffic accidents that may result from poor visibility.
Surface winds and dust
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology's report not only addressed the fog but also indicated the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand. These winds are causing reduced horizontal visibility in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Hail, and Madinah regions, as well as the eastern parts of the Makkah region. The suspended dust also extends to parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, requiring those with respiratory conditions and asthma to take necessary precautions when going outside.
The center concluded its report by noting that there is still a chance of light rain on the northern parts of the Kingdom, calling on everyone to follow the real-time reports through official platforms.
