The National Center for Meteorology issued an urgent weather alert today for the Eastern Province, warning of strong winds that could directly impact daily life and traffic. The alert covers the cities of Dammam and Dhahran, as well as a number of key governorates including Khobar, Jubail, Ras Tanura, Qatif, Abqaiq, Al-Ahsa, and others. These warnings are part of the center's ongoing monitoring of weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Reports issued by the center indicated that the expected wind speed ranges between 40 and 49 kilometers per hour, a rate classified as relatively strong winds that typically stir up dust and sand, especially in open areas and on highways connecting cities in the Eastern Province. This weather condition has reduced horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, necessitating caution from drivers and those using highways. The center noted that this weather condition is expected to continue, God willing, until 6:00 PM today.
In a related context, these warnings are particularly important given the geographical and economic nature of the Eastern Province. The region is a major industrial and commercial hub for the Kingdom, and it includes a vital network of highways that experience heavy truck and vehicle traffic. Therefore, reduced horizontal visibility due to dust and sandstorms poses a risk to traffic safety, requiring relevant authorities and drivers to adhere to safety instructions, reduce speed, and maintain safe distances to avoid accidents.
Regarding the general weather conditions in the Kingdom, the National Center for Meteorology's report for Monday indicated variations in weather phenomena across different regions. While the Eastern Province is experiencing dust-raising winds, the chance of thunderstorms accompanied by active winds remains high in parts of the Al-Baha and Makkah regions. This weather pattern extends to the southern parts of the Madinah highlands, promising rainy winter weather in those areas.
Regarding temperatures, the cold to very cold weather will persist across the northern regions, with the cold wave affecting parts of Hail, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders, extending its impact to the northern parts of the Eastern Province. This cold coincides with continued surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, affecting not only the Eastern Province but also parts of Tabuk, Madinah, and Makkah, reaching as far as the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands. This reflects a state of atmospheric instability that necessitates continuous monitoring of weather forecasts.
