Saudi Arabia weather today: Dust-raising winds and warnings for several regions
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions on Thursday across the various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating the continuation of weather fluctuations characterized by active surface winds that stir up dust and sand.
Weather details and affected areas
The report indicated that the weather conditions will continue to be characterized by active winds that stir up dust and sand, significantly reducing horizontal visibility. This includes large parts of the Riyadh, Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk regions. The effects also extend to the eastern parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions, necessitating caution for those traveling on highways in these areas.
In a related context, the center did not rule out the formation of fog during the night and early morning hours, which may affect visibility in parts of the Tabuk region and the southern parts of the Eastern Province. This is a phenomenon that occurs in conjunction with stable winds and high humidity levels at those times.
Climate context and weather effects
These weather fluctuations are part of Saudi Arabia's typical climate, as the country experiences surface wind activity at this time due to variations in atmospheric pressure. Dust storms and blowing sand are common phenomena in the Arabian Peninsula due to the region's desert nature and geography. Loose soil and high wind speeds help carry dust particles long distances, directly impacting air quality and visibility.
The state of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding the sea conditions, the report indicated that the surface wind movement on the Red Sea will be westerly to northwesterly at a speed ranging from 10 to 25 km/h, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one meter, making the sea state slight.
In the Arabian Gulf, the winds will be southwesterly to southeasterly in the northern part, and northwesterly to westerly in the southern part, with speeds reaching 35 km/h, with wave heights reaching one and a half meters, and the sea state will be light to moderate.
Special alerts for the Eastern Province
The center issued a special alert for the Eastern Province regarding blowing dust, the effects of which will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 3:00 PM in the governorates of Khafji, Nairyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya. The effects will extend to Hafr Al-Batin until 6:00 PM. These effects include a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, requiring drivers and those with respiratory conditions to take the necessary precautions to avoid potential health effects and traffic hazards.
