Today's weather: Dust in Riyadh and rain in Asir and Jazan
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on weather conditions for today, Tuesday, across the various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating the continuation of weather fluctuations characterized by active surface winds and low horizontal visibility in several vital areas.
Weather details and affected areas
The report indicated that the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand continues, reducing horizontal visibility across large parts of Najran, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and the Northern Borders . This situation is part of the typical weather patterns at this time of year, where air currents are active due to differences in atmospheric pressure across the Kingdom.
In contrast, the southern and western highlands will experience different weather conditions, with the possibility of light rain that may bring some relief. This includes parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha , extending to the highlands of the Makkah region. The center also noted the possibility of fog forming during the early morning and late night hours in parts of these areas, as well as along the coastal areas of the Eastern Province, urging caution while driving.
Climate context and weather effects
Saudi Arabia is characterized by its vast geographical area and diverse topography, making it susceptible to multiple climatic patterns simultaneously. Dust storms are a frequent occurrence in the central and northern regions due to the desert nature and sparse vegetation, directly impacting air quality and traffic flow on highways connecting cities.
In such weather conditions, experts advise following public safety guidelines, especially for respiratory and asthma patients, to avoid direct exposure to dust. Drivers on highways in Riyadh, Qassim and Hail are also advised to maintain safe distances and use warning lights when visibility is zero.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the maritime situation, the Red Sea significant turbulence, particularly in its southern part. Surface winds are northwesterly to northeasterly in the northern and central parts at speeds of 10-30 km/h, while they shift to southeasterly in the southern part at speeds reaching 38 km/h, potentially intensifying to 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait . This is causing waves to reach heights of up to two and a half meters, which could affect navigation for fishermen and small vessels in this strategic area.
In the Arabian Gulf , the situation is relatively more stable, with northwesterly winds that later turn northeasterly at a speed of 10 to 32 km/h, with wave heights ranging between half a meter and one and a half meters, making the sea state light to moderately rough.
