Saudi Arabia weather: Cold wave and frost in 4 regions, and dust in the Eastern Province

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather conditions , warning of a strong cold wave affecting large parts of the north of the Kingdom, coinciding with surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand in the Eastern Province.

According to the center's report, four major regions are expected to experience a significant drop in temperatures, beginning at 1:00 AM and continuing until 8:00 AM Wednesday. The forecast indicates temperatures will fall to between 0°C and -3°C, creating the potential for frost in the early morning hours.

Areas affected by the cold wave and frost

The National Center for Meteorology has identified the regions and cities that will be affected by this polar wave, which are:

• Hail region: includes Baqaa, Muwaqq, and the city of Hail.
• Tabuk region: includes highlands such as Jabal Al-Lawz and Al-Aqan.
• Al-Jawf region: includes Dumat Al-Jandal, Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal.
• Northern Border Region: Includes Al-Uwaiqilah, Rafha, Arar, and Tarif.

Climate context and expected impacts

This cold wave is typical for these northern regions of the Kingdom during winter, as they are usually affected by cold air masses coming from the north. This situation is particularly significant given the region's geography; the Tabuk highlands, such as Jabal al-Lawz, are a prominent winter tourist destination when it snows, while the Al-Jawf and Northern Borders regions are vital food baskets for the Kingdom. Therefore, frost warnings are crucial for farmers to take the necessary precautions to protect their crops from damage.

Dust and sandstorm alerts in the Eastern Province

In a related development, the center warned of different effects in the Eastern Province, where large parts of the region are experiencing dust storms that began Tuesday evening and will continue until 9:00 AM Wednesday. The warning includes the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Ahsa, and Abqaiq.

This condition causes horizontal visibility to decrease to between (1-3) kilometers, in addition to the rise of waves, which calls for caution and vigilance for highway users and sea visitors, as well as the need to follow health guidelines for respiratory and asthma patients to avoid health complications resulting from dust.

The National Center of Meteorology continues its vital role in monitoring weather changes using the latest technologies, to ensure the safety of lives and property, calling on everyone to follow official reports and adhere to the instructions of the concerned authorities.