Saudi Arabia weather today: Tarif and Rafha freeze over with thunderstorms
Northern regions of Saudi Arabia experienced a significant and sharp drop in temperatures, with the governorates of Tarif and Rafha recording the lowest temperatures on Monday, January 5th, at just 1 degree Celsius, reflecting the peak of winter in these areas. Meanwhile, the National Center for Meteorology and Environmental Protection forecast thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds in other regions, creating a contrasting weather pattern of bitter cold and rain.
Temperature details in the cities of the Kingdom
According to data from the National Center for Meteorology, Tarif and Rafha were not the only areas affected by the cold. Arar and Hafr al-Batin recorded temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius, while Qurayyat recorded 3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in the Al-Jawf region reached 4 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Hail, Khamis Mushait, and Abha were close to 5 degrees Celsius, prompting residents to take necessary precautions to keep warm.
Weather conditions and rain forecast
The weather report indicated that there is a good chance – God willing – of thunderstorms preceded or accompanied by active winds that will reduce horizontal visibility in parts of the Al-Baha and Makkah regions. This weather pattern will also extend to the southern parts of the Madinah highlands. These weather fluctuations are typical of winter weather in the Kingdom, as the northern regions are affected by cold air masses coming from the north, while the western and southern highlands are affected by moist air currents that contribute to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds.
Climate context and the impact of the cold wave
These low temperatures are considered normal during January, which represents the heart of winter in the Arabian Peninsula, as the northern regions (Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, Tabuk) are directly affected by Siberian high-pressure systems or polar air masses, making them the coldest regions in the Kingdom, where temperatures may sometimes drop below zero degrees Celsius and frost may occur.
The center indicated that the weather will remain cold to very cold in parts of the Hail, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, with the effects of this cold air mass extending to the northern parts of the Eastern Province. Surface winds will also continue to stir up dust and sand, potentially affecting motorists on highways in the Tabuk, Madinah, and Makkah regions, as well as the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the Red Sea is experiencing surface winds ranging from 20 to 40 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h with the formation of thunderstorms in the central and southern parts, leading to waves exceeding two meters and rough sea conditions. The Arabian Gulf is experiencing moderate northwesterly to northeasterly winds, with wave heights ranging from one to two meters.
