Today's weather: Frost in northern Saudi Arabia and dust in Riyadh

The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on weather conditions on Wednesday in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating sharp weather fluctuations ranging from a noticeable drop in temperatures to surface wind activity that stirs up dust.

Weather details and affected areas

According to the weather report, the northern regions of the Kingdom are expected to experience cold to very cold . This sharp drop in temperature includes the regions of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and the Northern Borders, where there is a chance of frost during the early morning hours, necessitating that residents and farmers in those areas take the necessary precautions.

In a related development, the cold wave is extending to other parts of the Kingdom, with temperatures continuing to drop and strong winds stirring up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility. This weather pattern is affecting parts of the Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern, and Najran regions, and extends to the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands, as well as parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions.

Climate context and the effects of winter

This weather pattern is typical of winter in the Arabian Peninsula, where the Kingdom is affected by the passage of cold polar air masses, leading to a significant drop in temperatures, especially in open and northern areas. This time of year is also characterized by strong surface winds that can cause temporary sandstorms, impacting transportation and land travel.

On the other hand, there is still a chance of light rain and dense fog in parts of the southern highlands, specifically in the Jazan and Asir regions, which gives a different winter character to those areas compared to the central and northern parts of the Kingdom.

Sea conditions and maritime navigation

The coasts experienced disturbances in sea conditions, as explained in the following report:

• Red Sea: Surface winds are registering remarkable activity, being northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of up to 35 km/h in the northern and central parts, while the wind speed reaches 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with wave heights reaching up to two meters.
• The Arabian Gulf: It is experiencing a state of turbulence, with wind speeds reaching 55 km/h and waves rising to more than two and a half meters, making the sea state turbulent and requiring caution for seafarers and fishermen.

Important alerts for Riyadh residents

The National Center for Meteorology issued an advanced warning for the Riyadh region regarding blowing dust and near-zero horizontal visibility (1 to 3 kilometers). This condition will begin at 3:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM.

The affected areas in Riyadh include: Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Al-Hariq, Al-Kharj, Ad-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiya, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh city, Ad-Dawadmi, Ar-Rin, Al-Quway'iyah, and Afif. Authorities advise drivers to exercise caution while driving on highways in these areas due to reduced visibility.