Weather alerts: Fog and reduced visibility in 5 Saudi regions

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather , indicating the formation of fog of varying intensity affecting large parts of five administrative regions during the early morning hours of Tuesday. These alerts are part of the ongoing monitoring of seasonal weather fluctuations experienced in the Kingdom during this period.

Weather details and affected areas

The weather report indicated that the weather phenomenon would persist until 7:00 AM in some areas and extend until 8:00 AM in others, necessitating caution. The accompanying effects include reduced horizontal visibility, ranging from 3 to 5 kilometers in some locations and potentially reaching near-zero visibility (1 to 3 kilometers) in others, posing a challenge for drivers and highway users.

The center has identified the regions and cities covered by the alert as follows:

• Eastern Province: Includes Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, and many others.
• Makkah Region: Includes Jeddah, Al Qunfudhah, Rabigh, Adham, Maysan, Taif, Al Muwayh, Al Ardiyat, Ash Shu’aybah, and Al Lith.
• Medina: Includes the governorates of Badr, Al-Mahd, and Wadi Al-Fara.
• Al-Baha region: It affects Al-Hujrah, Al-Makhwah, Far’ah Ghamid Al-Zanad, and Qalwah.
• Asir region: includes Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Al Harjah, Al Rabwa, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Khamis Mushait, Sarat Abidah, and Dhahran Al Janoub.

The climatic and geographical context of fog in the Kingdom

Fog is a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia during seasonal transitions and in winter, with the Kingdom's diverse geography playing a significant role in its formation. In coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and Jeddah, fog typically forms due to high relative humidity levels originating from the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, which condenses as temperatures drop at night.

In mountainous and highland areas such as Asir, Al-Baha and Taif, fog is often caused by clouds touching the mountain peaks, which is known as radiation fog or highland fog, giving it a distinctive winter character, but it requires extreme caution while driving on winding mountain roads.

The importance of warnings and their impact on public safety

These warnings are of paramount importance for preserving lives and property, as fog directly impacts land, sea, and sometimes air traffic. Relevant authorities, including Civil Defense and Traffic Police, urge citizens and residents to adhere to safety guidelines while driving in such conditions, such as using fog lights, reducing speed, and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to avoid traffic accidents that may result from sudden loss of visibility.