Saudi Arabia weather today: Thunderstorms, Mecca 31 degrees Celsius, Al Qurayyat 2 degrees Celsius

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather forecast for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, revealing a volatile and unstable weather pattern across several regions. This forecast comes as the Kingdom experiences a transitional phase characterized by the interplay of cold air masses from the north and warm, humid air currents, creating a unique climatic contrast typical of the Kingdom's vast geography.

Geographical and climatic context

Current climate data clearly illustrates the Kingdom's diverse topography. While the northern regions are affected by cold waves that cause temperatures to plummet to near-freezing levels, the western coastal areas, particularly Mecca and Jeddah, maintain a warm, even hot, climate. This significant contrast, with a difference of approximately 29 degrees Celsius between the north and west of the Kingdom, reflects the continental nature of Saudi Arabia's climate and the influence of water bodies and mountains on temperature regulation.

Rainfall and weather phenomena map

thunderstorms accompanied by active winds that stir up dust and sand, potentially reducing horizontal visibility, continues

• Jazan region.
• Asir region.
• Al-Baha region.
• Parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions.

Experts also did not rule out the possibility of rain showers extending to parts of the northern border and central regions of the Kingdom, creating a distinctly wintry atmosphere. Simultaneously, the center warned of the formation of dense fog during the night and early morning hours, a phenomenon that recurs annually at this time of year. This necessitates that drivers on highways in the eastern regions and highlands exercise extreme caution.

Temperature monitoring: between warmth and frost

Weather observatories recorded remarkably different numbers, with the city of Al-Qurayyat the list as the coldest Saudi city for the day, recording two degrees Celsius , followed by Tarif with four degrees, then Rafha and Arar with five degrees Celsius, indicating the dominance of a cold air mass over the northern strip.

In contrast, and quite the opposite, the holy capital (Mecca) and Jeddah recorded the highest temperatures at 31 degrees Celsius , while Jazan recorded 29 degrees, making the weather there summer-like during the day.

Sea conditions and their impact on navigation

Regarding maritime activities, the report warned fishermen and those venturing into the Red Sea, particularly its southern part, of high waves that could reach two meters, accompanied by wind speeds of up to 50 km/h, creating rough and unstable sea conditions. Meanwhile, the Arabian Gulf is experiencing relatively stable conditions with light waves and moderate winds, making it suitable for normal maritime activities.

The capital, Riyadh, concludes the weather scene with moderate weather tending towards cool at night, with a high of 20 degrees and a low of 10 degrees, with a noticeable increase in relative humidity, which promises pleasant and stable winter weather for the residents of the capital.