Weather developments: Dust-laden winds and poor visibility
The National Center for Meteorology announced in its latest weather for Thursday that active winds stirring up dust and sand will continue to affect large parts of Saudi Arabia. These weather conditions are causing near-zero horizontal visibility, necessitating caution from citizens and residents, especially those using highways and open roads.
Geographical and climatic nature and its impact on the atmosphere
Dust storms and strong winds are an integral part of the desert climate that characterizes the Arabian Peninsula. Historically, Saudi Arabia experiences significant changes in atmospheric pressure during seasonal transitions, leading to noticeable wind activity. These natural phenomena are not new; rather, they are an extension of the region's vast desert landscape, which stirs up dust and sand when the wind blows, directly impacting air quality and visibility in many cities and provinces.
The impact of weather changes on daily life
These weather fluctuations have significant impacts at both the local and regional levels. Locally, near-zero visibility disrupts road traffic, necessitating the activation of traffic emergency plans to minimize accidents. Dust storms also directly affect public health, particularly for those with respiratory conditions and asthma, prompting health authorities to issue ongoing preventative guidelines urging people to stay indoors and wear masks. Regionally and internationally, air and sea traffic may undergo scheduled adjustments to ensure the safety of passengers and commercial shipments, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring weather forecasts.
Weather developments in the affected areas
According to the weather report, near-zero horizontal visibility will affect parts of the Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, with the impact also extending to parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions. The report also indicated the possibility of thunderstorms and rain, which could bring some relief to the highlands of the Asir region, adding a significant variation to the day's weather patterns.
Navigation conditions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime navigation, the center explained that surface winds on the Red Sea will be northwesterly to westerly in the northern and central parts, with speeds ranging from 20 to 40 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h in the northern part. Meanwhile, winds will be southeasterly to northeasterly in the southern part, with speeds of 10-28 km/h. Wave heights will range from one to two meters in the central part, reaching two and a half meters in the northern part, while the waves will be light to moderate in the southern part.
Over the Arabian Gulf, forecasts indicate northwesterly to westerly surface winds shifting to southwesterly in the evening over the northern part, with speeds of 12-38 km/h, reaching up to 48 km/h over the central and southern parts. Wave heights are expected to range from half a meter to one and a half meters, potentially reaching two meters, resulting in generally calm to moderate sea conditions.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
In a special alert, the National Center for Meteorology warned of blowing dust in parts of the Eastern Province today, Thursday, with the phenomenon beginning at 4:00 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. This alert includes the governorates of Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, and Hafr Al-Batin. The dust will be accompanied by strong winds, leading to near-zero horizontal visibility ranging from 1 to 3 kilometers, requiring extreme caution from motorists in these areas.
