Meteorology: Dense fog and zero visibility in 11 Saudi regions today

The National Center for Meteorology issued an important alert this morning, Friday, detailing the weather conditions and warning of varying intensity fog covering large parts of 11 administrative regions in the Kingdom. The center explained that this weather phenomenon will continue during the early morning hours, urging citizens and residents, especially those using highways and open roads, to exercise caution.

Weather details and reduced visibility

The weather report indicated that the fog ranged from moderate to dense, with its effects persisting in some areas until 8:00 AM and extending to 9:00 AM in others. This condition significantly reduced horizontal visibility, ranging from 3 to 5 kilometers in some places, while reaching near-zero visibility of 1 to 3 kilometers in other locations. In areas experiencing dense fog, the center warned of near-zero visibility, dropping to one kilometer or less, posing a danger to traffic.

Areas and cities affected by the situation

The alert included a wide list of cities and governorates across the Kingdom, and their geographical distribution was as follows:

• Eastern Province: Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Khafji, Nairyah, Hafr Al-Batin, Qaryat Al-Ulya, and many others.
• Riyadh Region: Riyadh (the capital), Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Majma’ah, Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Shaqra, Rumah, Al-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiyah, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Thadiq, Huraymila, and Dhurma.
• Makkah Region: Jeddah, Taif, Rabigh, Khulais, Al Kamil, Al Lith, Al Qunfudhah, Al Ardiyat, Turabah, Al Muwayh, Adham, Maysan, and Al Shu'aibah.
• Medina: Al-Ula, Al-Ais, Al-Mahd, and Wadi Al-Fara.
• Asir region: Abha, Khamis Mushait, Al Namas, Tanomah, Balqarn, Al Majardah, Mahayil, Rijal Alma, Al Birk, Al Qahmah, Ahad Rafidah, Sarat Abidah, Dhahran Al Janoub, and Al Harjah.
• Jazan region: Jazan, Sabya, Abu Arish, Samtah, Al Darb, Baysh, Fifa, Al Ardah, and a number of other governorates.
• Other areas: The situation included parts of the Al-Baha, Tabuk (Tayma), Al-Jawf (Sakaka, Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat) and Northern Borders regions (Arar, Tarif, Rafha).

The importance of early warning and traffic safety

These alerts are part of the National Center for Meteorology's ongoing efforts to monitor weather fluctuations using the latest radar and satellite technologies, with the aim of protecting lives and property. Fog is a common winter weather phenomenon in the Kingdom, occurring as a result of water vapor condensing near the Earth's surface due to low temperatures and high relative humidity.

In a related context, security and traffic authorities, such as Civil Defense and Traffic Police, typically urge drivers to adhere to safe driving practices in foggy conditions. They always advise using fog lights or low-beam headlights instead of high beams, which can impair visibility, reducing speed according to road conditions, and maintaining a safe following distance to avoid sudden collisions that may result from poor visibility.