Saudi Arabia weather today: Warnings of dust storms and winds in Riyadh and the Eastern Province
issued The National Center for Meteorology a recent weather report for Tuesday, warning of unstable weather conditions affecting several regions in Saudi Arabia. The report highlighted the presence of dust storms and strong winds, which could significantly reduce horizontal visibility, urging citizens and residents to exercise caution.
Weather details for the Riyadh region
The center explained in its alert that the Riyadh region will experience surface winds that will stir up dust and sand. This weather phenomenon will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM. The alert covers a large number of governorates and centers, including: Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway'iyah, Afif, Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh (the capital), Thadiq, Huraymila, Rumah, Dhurma, Marat, Az-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma'ah, and Shaqra. Forecasts indicate that the accompanying effects will include strong winds and reduced horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, requiring special attention from drivers on highways and open roads.
Eastern Province alerts and schedules
In a related development, the meteorological department issued a warning about a similar weather system affecting parts of the Eastern Province. The phenomenon is expected to begin early, at 4:00 AM, in Hafr Al-Batin, and at 9:00 AM in Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya. This weather pattern is expected to persist until 5:00 PM, accompanied by strong winds and reduced horizontal visibility, similar to the conditions anticipated in Riyadh.
General features of the Kingdom's weather today
In general, the National Center for Meteorology forecasts in its daily report that strong winds, potentially reaching dust storm levels, will continue, leading to near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders. There is also a chance of light rain in some areas, which may help to moderate the weather somewhat after the dust storms.
The impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand will continue to affect parts of the Makkah, Madinah, Hail, and Qassim regions, in addition to Riyadh and the Eastern Province. Meanwhile, there is a chance of thunderstorms and rain over the northern parts of the Eastern Province, as well as over the western and southwestern highlands of the Kingdom, with the possibility of fog during the night and early morning hours.
Safety and dust handling guidelines
These warnings are of paramount importance given the impact of dust and sandstorms on public health and road safety. Experts consistently advise following these safety guidelines in such conditions:
- For patients with respiratory conditions: It is advised to avoid going out to open spaces except when absolutely necessary, while being careful to wear medical masks to avoid inhaling dust that may irritate the airways.
- For drivers: A safe distance must be maintained between vehicles, warning signals must be used when necessary, and high speeds must be avoided due to reduced visibility, especially in open areas and highways connecting governorates.
climatic and geographical context
These weather fluctuations are part of the climatic characteristics of Saudi Arabia, especially during the transitional periods between seasons. The Kingdom's desert nature and geography play a significant role in the rapid influence of surface winds, which stir up dust and transport it over long distances. These ongoing reports from the National Center of Meteorology underscore the significant advancements in the Kingdom's weather monitoring systems, which are primarily aimed at protecting lives and property through early warning of potential hazards.
