Saudi Arabia weather: Rain in Mecca, fog in the Eastern Province, and weather warnings issued
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued new reports on the expected weather conditions for today, Thursday, indicating weather fluctuations affecting vital areas in the Kingdom, specifically the Makkah and Eastern regions, which calls for the attention of citizens, residents and drivers.
Details of the rainfall situation in Mecca
The center explained in its report that parts of the Makkah region will experience light rainfall, beginning at 1:00 PM and continuing until 8:00 PM in some areas, and extending to 9:00 PM in others. The areas affected by this warning include: Al-Ardiyat, Al-Lith, Al-Qunfudhah, Adham, Maysan, and Taif.
The weather conditions are not limited to rain, but are accompanied by surface wind activity, a decrease in horizontal visibility, and the possibility of thunderstorms, which requires taking precautions while traveling on highways and in open areas.
Red alert and heavy fog in the Eastern Province
On the other side of the Kingdom, the National Center for Meteorology issued a "red alert" for the Eastern Province, warning of dense fog leading to zero or near-zero horizontal visibility. This phenomenon began at 11:00 PM on Wednesday and will continue until 9:00 AM on Thursday.
Fog is blanketing large areas including Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Hafr al-Batin, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq. Horizontal visibility in these areas ranges from one to three kilometers, and may be completely obscured in some parts, posing a significant challenge to traffic on highways.
Context of weather fluctuations and the nature of the climate
These weather phenomena occur during the seasonal transitions in Saudi Arabia, periods typically characterized by atmospheric instability. The Kingdom's diverse geography plays a significant role in weather variations; while Mecca is influenced by its mountainous and coastal terrain, which promotes thunderstorm formation, the Eastern Province is affected by high humidity levels originating from the Arabian Gulf, creating ideal conditions for dense fog, particularly in the early morning hours.
The importance of warnings and safety procedures
These warnings are of paramount importance to ensure the safety of lives and property. Relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, continuously urge adherence to safety instructions during these weather conditions. Drivers in the Eastern Province are advised to use fog lights, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid speeding. In Mecca, it is strongly emphasized that drivers must stay away from valleys and flood channels and not attempt to cross them, regardless of the amount of rain, as even light, continuous rainfall can cause surface runoff that may lead to vehicles skidding.
