Saudi Arabia weather: Tarif 1°C with dust-raising winds today
The National Center for Meteorology revealed in its report on the expected weather conditions for Sunday, January 18, a noticeable decrease in temperatures in the northern regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the governorate of Tarif topping the list of the coldest cities, recording only one degree Celsius as a minimum temperature, reflecting the peak of the winter weather that the region experiences at this time of year.
Temperatures recorded in the cities of the Kingdom
According to the climate report, Tarif was not the only area to experience a sharp drop in temperatures. Arar and Sakaka both recorded lows of 2 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Qurayyat reached 3 degrees Celsius. The cold wave affected other regions as well, with lows settling at 6 degrees Celsius in Qaisumah, Al-Ahsa, Dammam, Rafha, Tabuk, and Hail, prompting residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from colds.
Weather phenomena: wind, dust, and fog
The meteorological department explained that the weather map indicates continued surface wind activity stirring up dust and sand, which may lead to reduced horizontal visibility. The impact of this weather system is concentrated on the eastern parts of the highlands in the western and southwestern regions, extending to parts of the Madinah, Hail, Qassim, and Riyadh regions, and reaching the northern parts of the Eastern Province.
In a related context, there is still a chance of thunderstorms with rain accompanied by surface wind activity, with the possibility of fog forming during the night and early morning hours in parts of Al-Jawf and the Northern Borders regions, as well as areas experiencing rainfall, which requires caution while driving on highways.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the Red Sea is experiencing northwesterly to northerly surface winds in its northern and central parts, and southeasterly to southerly winds in its southern part, with speeds ranging from 15 to 45 km/h. Wave heights range from half a meter to two meters, and the sea state is slight to moderate, becoming rough with the formation of thunderstorms.
As for the Arabian Gulf, northwesterly winds are active at a speed of up to 45 km/h, especially with the formation of rain-bearing thunderclouds over the northern part, which leads to waves rising to two meters, and the sea state is turbulent in those areas.
The importance of following weather forecasts
These weather fluctuations are a natural part of the Kingdom's winter climate, as the northern and central regions are affected by cold air masses coming from the north. Experts advise regularly checking weather forecasts issued by the National Center for Meteorology, especially for those at sea and traveling on land, to ensure public safety and avoid risks resulting from dust storms or potential flash floods in rainy areas.
