Madinah weather today: Warning of blowing dust and reduced visibility

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important weather alert today for the Madinah region, warning of a dust storm that could directly impact daily life and traffic in several governorates. This alert is part of the center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.

Weather details in Medina

The center explained in its statement that the expected weather conditions include active surface winds stirring up dust and sand, leading to a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. The center identified the areas affected by this condition, which specifically include the governorates of Al-Hanakiya and Al-Mahd in the Madinah region.

Regarding the timing of the weather event, the meteorological report indicated that the effects began at 10:00 AM today and are expected to continue until 7:00 PM. Therefore, the center urged everyone to exercise caution, especially those using highways and open areas, and to strictly adhere to instructions issued by the relevant authorities through official channels.

Saudi Arabia weather forecast for today: Rain and fog

In a related development, and considering the overall weather situation in the Kingdom, the National Center for Meteorology revealed details of the expected weather conditions for today, Saturday, across various regions. Weather maps indicate that there remains a chance of scattered rainfall, which may be thundery at times, in the western and southwestern parts of the Kingdom.

The report also did not rule out the formation of dense fog during the night and early morning hours, which may limit horizontal visibility in parts of those areas, which calls for extra attention from drivers.

The impact of active winds on other areas

The impact of the active, dust-laden winds was not limited to Medina; forecasts extended to large parts of the Kingdom. These winds are expected to affect horizontal visibility in parts of:

• Hail region.
• The western parts of the Riyadh region.
• The eastern parts of the Makkah and Asir regions.

Safety and prevention guidelines during dust storms

Given the nature of these dusty conditions, health and traffic safety experts advise following a set of guidelines to reduce the negative effects of these waves:

• For patients with respiratory conditions: It is advised to avoid going out into open areas except when absolutely necessary, while taking care to wear medical masks to avoid inhaling dust that may irritate the airways.
• For drivers: Leave sufficient distance between vehicles, use warning signals when necessary, and avoid high speeds due to low visibility, especially on highways connecting governorates.
• In homes: It is preferable to keep windows and doors tightly closed to prevent dust from leaking inside.

The National Center of Meteorology emphasizes the importance of following real-time reports through its website and social media accounts to get the latest updates on the weather situation.