Today's weather: Dense fog covers 9 Saudi regions; important warnings issued
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather conditions , warning of varying intensities of fog affecting large parts of the Kingdom. The report explained that this weather phenomenon will prevail during the early morning hours of Thursday, urging citizens and residents, especially those traveling on highways and in open areas, to exercise caution.
Weather details and its effects
The center indicated in its warnings that the effects of this weather condition include a significant decrease in horizontal visibility. Visibility is expected to range between 1 and 3 kilometers in some areas, while it may become almost zero (less than 1 kilometer) in areas experiencing dense fog. These weather conditions directly affect the flow of traffic and the safety of travel between cities and governorates.
Areas and cities affected by fog
The report included a precise identification of the affected areas, which covered wide geographical areas in 9 administrative regions, as follows:
- Eastern Province: Includes Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq.
- Riyadh Region: Riyadh (the capital), Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma’ah, Shaqra, Al-Hariq, Al-Kharj, Al-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiya, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Al-Dawadmi, Afif, Thadiq, Huraymila, Rumah, Dhurma, Marat, and Al-Diriyah.
- Makkah Region: Highlands such as Maysan, Al-Ardiyat, and Taif.
- Jazan region: Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, Haroub, Abu Arish, Ahad Al-Masarihah, Al-Tawal, Al-Fatihah, Samtah, Sabya, and Damad.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Hajrah, Al-Makhwah, Far’ah Ghamid Al-Zanad, Qalwah, Al-Baha city, Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
- Al-Jawf region: Al-Qurayyat, Tabarjal, Dumat Al-Jandal, and Sakaka.
- Hail region: Al-Hait, Al-Sulaimi, Al-Shamli, Al-Ghazala, Muwaqq, Al-Shanan, Baqaa, Hail city, and Samira.
- Al-Qassim region: Al-Asyah, Al-Badai’, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Thamiriya, Al-Shamasiya, Al-Ammar, Al-Mudhnib, Buraydah, Uyun Al-Jawa, Abanat, Al-Khabra, Ar-Rass, Al-Fawarah, An-Nabhaniah, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Dhariyah, and Uqlat As-Suqur.
- Northern borders: Rafha, Al-Uwaiqilah, Arar, and Tarif.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These warnings come amidst the usual weather fluctuations the Kingdom experiences during seasonal transitions or at the height of winter, when conditions are favorable for fog formation due to high surface humidity and low minimum temperatures, especially during the late night and early morning hours. Fog is a weather phenomenon that relevant authorities pay close attention to due to its direct impact on daily life.
The importance of these early warnings lies in enhancing public safety, as security and traffic authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Road Security, rely on these reports to regulate traffic and guide drivers. Experts always advise, in such conditions, reducing speed, using fog lights, and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to avoid traffic accidents that may result from sudden loss of visibility.
The National Center of Meteorology calls on everyone to follow the updated weather reports through its official channels to ensure accurate information and avoid rumors, thus contributing to a safe and risk-free day.
