Friday's weather in Saudi Arabia: Frost, fog, and severe cold in 9 regions
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report for Friday, issuing important warnings to citizens and residents about severe weather fluctuations affecting large areas of the country. The report indicated the dominance of a cold air mass leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures, necessitating caution, especially in the northern and central regions.
Weather details and affected areas
According to official weather data, the Kingdom is experiencing cold to very cold weather, primarily affecting the Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Hail, and Al-Qassim regions. The cold wave is not limited to the north, but also extends to parts of the Riyadh and Madinah regions, as well as the mountainous areas of Makkah and Al-Baha. These conditions are accompanied by a high probability of frost and dense fog during the night and early morning hours, which may negatively impact horizontal visibility in these areas.
Climate context and the impact of polar waves
These weather fluctuations are a natural consequence of Saudi Arabia's geographical and climatic conditions during winter. The northern regions are the primary gateway for polar air masses originating from the northern hemisphere. These air masses typically cause temperatures to drop below freezing in open and desert areas, resulting in frost that directly impacts agricultural crops and traffic on highways.
Surface winds and reduced visibility
In a related context, the report indicated the continued activity of surface winds stirring up dust and sand, which reduces horizontal visibility. This activity includes parts of the Northern Borders, Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, and extends to the western and northwestern parts of the Kingdom. The center warned that this condition could reach near-zero visibility along the coastal areas, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution while driving on highways and coastal roads.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the maritime conditions, the center explained that the Red Sea is experiencing northwesterly to northeasterly surface winds, with speeds ranging from 25 to 50 km/h in its northern and central parts. This is causing waves to reach heights of up to 2.5 meters, resulting in rough sea conditions. As for the Arabian Gulf, it is experiencing strong winds exceeding 60 km/h, accompanied by thunderstorms and rain. This is also causing waves to rise to over 2.5 meters, creating rough and turbulent sea conditions. Therefore, maritime activities should be avoided during these times.
There remains a chance of thunderstorms over the southern parts of the Eastern Province, adding another element of atmospheric instability that must be monitored carefully.
