Today's weather: Thunderstorms and dust storms hit several regions in Saudi Arabia

The National Center for Meteorology, in its daily report, revealed the latest weather for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating the continuation of unstable weather conditions affecting large parts of the country. The center predicted continued thunderstorms of varying intensity, ranging from light to moderate, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will reduce horizontal visibility.

Weather forecast and affected areas

The report indicated that there is still a chance of rain in parts of the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Najran, Jazan, and Asir. The center also noted the possibility of fog forming during the night and early morning hours in parts of these regions, urging caution while driving.

In contrast, surface winds that stir up dust and sand are active, leading to a decrease in horizontal visibility in parts of the Makkah, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions, in addition to the areas previously affected by rain.

Weather and climate fluctuations in the Kingdom

These weather within the typical climatic patterns for this time of year, as the Kingdom experiences transitional periods characterized by the overlapping of air masses. The Kingdom's diverse geography plays a significant role in weather variations, with coastal and highland areas affected by weather systems different from those of the interior and desert regions. This makes monitoring weather forecasts essential for daily planning and mitigating potential hazards.

Wind and wave movements in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf

Regarding the marine conditions, the report detailed the movement of winds and waves:

• Red Sea: Surface winds will be northeasterly to northwesterly, gradually shifting to northerly in the northern and central parts, reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h in the central region. Wave heights will range between one and two and a half meters, with sea conditions ranging from moderate to rough.
• The Arabian Gulf: The region is experiencing northwesterly to northerly winds with speeds reaching 50 km/h, with the formation of rain-bearing thunderclouds over the central and southern parts, leading to waves reaching up to two and a half meters and a rough sea state.

Special alerts for the Eastern Province

The center issued a special alert for the Eastern Province regarding strong winds and dust storms, with the phenomenon beginning at 9:00 AM and continuing until 7:00 PM. The alert covers the cities of Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Qatif, and Ras Tanura, where wind speeds are expected to reach 49 km/h, leading to high waves and reduced visibility.

The warnings also included the Al-Ahsa, Al-Adeed and Buqayq regions, which will witness active winds and a decrease in horizontal visibility to (3-5) kilometers, which requires those using the highways in those areas to take precautions.

The importance of adhering to safety guidelines

Given the weather conditions , authorities consistently emphasize the importance of heeding early warnings and adhering to Civil Defense instructions, particularly in areas prone to flash floods or dust storms. It is advised to avoid low-lying areas and valleys during rainfall and to reduce speed on roads with heavy dust to ensure the safety of lives and property.