Warning from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important weather alert for the early hours of Tuesday morning, warning of light fog in scattered areas of three vital regions: Mecca, Asir, and Jazan. This warning is part of the center's ongoing efforts to monitor weather phenomena and provide citizens and residents with accurate information to ensure their safety and enable them to take necessary precautions.
Alert details and affected areas
According to the center's report, this weather phenomenon is expected to begin at 1:00 AM and continue until 8:00 AM. The accompanying effects include a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially dropping to between 3 and 5 kilometers, necessitating caution, especially for drivers on highways and local roads in the affected areas.
The weather conditions are concentrated in the following locations:
- Makkah Region: Al Qunfudhah Governorate.
- Asir region: Al-Birk and Al-Qahmah governorates.
- Jazan region: Al Darb, Baysh, and Farasan governorates, in addition to Jazan city.
Climatic context and causes of fog formation
Fog formation in the coastal areas and southwestern highlands of the Kingdom is a natural phenomenon, especially during seasonal changes. This phenomenon occurs when warm, humid air masses from the Red Sea meet the Earth's surface, which has cooled during the night. This cooling causes water vapor in the air near the surface to condense into very fine water droplets, which we see as fog. The topography of these areas, combining coastlines and mountains, helps trap moisture and facilitates fog formation in the early morning hours before the sun's heat dissipates it.
Importance and expected impacts on public safety
Reduced horizontal visibility caused by fog has direct impacts on public safety, particularly transportation safety. In such cases, relevant authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense, emphasize the need for extreme caution while driving. This includes reducing speed, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, using fog lights, and avoiding overtaking except in cases of absolute necessity. Maritime traffic at Red Sea ports, such as Jazan Port, may also be affected, and air traffic at nearby airports may be slightly impacted. Therefore, it is essential to monitor updates issued by aviation and port authorities. The National Center of Meteorology stresses the importance of following its daily reports and warnings issued through its official channels, as it plays a pivotal role in supporting various sectors and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals related to preserving lives and property.
