Saudi Arabia weather: Polar wave, sub-zero temperatures, and dusty winds

All eyes in Saudi Arabia are on the rapidly changing weather patterns announced by the National Center for Meteorology, as the country prepares for a powerful, dual-impact weather system. According to official forecasts, this weather pattern will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, January 20, and continue until Thursday, January 22, bringing with it a sharp drop in temperatures and strong surface winds that will stir up dust and sand.

Details of the heatwave and polar wave

Weather reports indicate that the cold wave will begin its direct and strong impact, imposing harsh winter weather on the northern regions of the Kingdom. These regions include Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, Hail, and northern Madinah. A significant and noticeable drop in temperature is expected, with minimum temperatures plummeting to very low levels, ranging from 2 degrees Celsius above zero to 2 degrees below zero. This will likely lead to frost formation in the early morning hours, necessitating the taking of necessary precautions for heating and protecting crops.

The climatic context and nature of winter in the Kingdom

This polar wave occurs within a normal and typical climatic context during the peak of winter in the Arabian Peninsula. Geographically and climatologically, the northern regions of the Kingdom are the primary gateway for cold air masses originating from higher latitudes and Siberia. These periods are usually characterized by the passage of polar low-pressure systems, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures, known locally as severe cold waves. These waves can sometimes cause snowfall in the mountainous areas of Tabuk, reflecting the significant climatic diversity of the Kingdom's geography.

The cold wave is creeping towards the center and east

The cold air mass will not only affect the north, but its reach will gradually expand on Wednesday and Thursday, moving towards the Qassim region and covering the northern parts of the Eastern Province and Riyadh. This expansion will bring cold weather to the central and eastern regions of the Kingdom, where minimum temperatures are expected to range between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius, creating distinctly wintry conditions that require careful preparation, especially for children and the elderly.

Dusty winds and reduced horizontal visibility

In parallel with the temperature drop, the center observed surface wind activity that stirred up dust and sand. This activity began on Tuesday, focusing on the Al-Jawf and Northern Borders regions. Dust storms then spread and intensified from Tuesday evening through Wednesday, covering a wide geographical area including the Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, reaching as far south as Najran. The effects of these active winds on Wednesday and Thursday will also extend to the eastern parts of the Asir and Al-Baha regions, and will reach the Makkah and Madinah regions and their coastal areas.

The importance of warnings and safety measures

Due to rapidly changing weather conditions and the expected reduction in horizontal visibility on highways and open roads, the National Center of Meteorology urges citizens and residents to follow real-time weather updates. These warnings are of utmost importance for those traveling on highways between regions and for those with respiratory conditions who may be affected by dust storms. Everyone is advised to adhere to safety instructions and exercise caution while driving or in open areas during this period of weather conditions.