Weather in Saudi Arabia: Tarif 3 degrees Celsius and thunderstorms
The National Center for Meteorology revealed details of weather conditions for Sunday, noting significant variations in temperatures and weather patterns across the Kingdom. The city of Tarif recorded the lowest minimum temperature at just 3 degrees Celsius, reflecting the cold wave affecting the northern parts of the country. Similarly, Al-Qurayyat recorded 4 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in both Sakaka and Arar reached 7 degrees Celsius.
Rain and strong wind forecast
The National Center for Meteorology's report indicated that the chance of thunderstorms, ranging from moderate to heavy, remains. These storms are expected to cause flash flooding, accompanied by hail and strong winds that may stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility. This weather pattern includes parts of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions.
The report also indicated that the rainy conditions would extend to parts of the Najran region, while light rain was expected in parts of the Madinah and Qassim regions. Meanwhile, surface winds stirring up dust and sand were expected in parts of these regions, as well as in the Northern Borders region, Al-Jawf, and the coastal areas of the Tabuk region. The center did not rule out the formation of fog during the night and early morning hours in parts of these areas, urging caution while driving.
Climatic characteristics of northern regions and their impact
These sharp temperature drops in Tarif and the northern regions are part of the geographical and climatic characteristics of these areas. Tarif is located in the Northern Borders region of the Kingdom, characterized by its high altitude and proximity to the paths of cold air masses coming from the north. These factors make it consistently prone to recording the lowest temperatures in the Kingdom, especially during the winter and spring transition seasons, making it an important indicator for monitoring the arrival of cold waves in the Arabian Peninsula.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the maritime conditions, the center indicated that surface winds on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly at speeds reaching 50 km/h, with wave heights reaching 2.5 meters, particularly in the central and southern parts, accompanied by thunderstorms. In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be southeasterly to southerly at speeds reaching 45 km/h, with wave heights also reaching 2.5 meters, due to the presence of rain-bearing thunderstorms.
The importance of monitoring weather conditions and safety guidelines
Following weather forecasts is of paramount importance during these fluctuations, as weather conditions directly impact daily activities and traffic flow on the Kingdom's highways. Authorities urge citizens and residents to adhere to safety guidelines, avoid floodplains and valleys during rainfall, and exercise caution due to reduced visibility caused by dust or fog, to ensure everyone's safety and prevent traffic accidents that may result from skidding or poor visibility.
