The National Center for Meteorology warns of weather fluctuations
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an important weather alert for the early hours of Monday morning, warning of light fog forming over scattered areas in four major regions. The center explained in its report that this weather phenomenon would begin at 1:00 AM and continue until 8:00 AM, leading to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially dropping to between 3 and 5 kilometers.
Areas and cities affected by fog
The alert covered vital and densely populated areas, requiring caution. The affected areas were distributed as follows:
- The Eastern Province: It includes important industrial and coastal cities such as Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, in addition to Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, and Abqaiq.
- Al-Jawf region: The situation is concentrated in Al-Qurayyat and Tabarjal.
- Northern Borders Region: The alert includes the governorate of Tarif.
- Asir region: Both the city of Abha and the governorate of Khamis Mushait are expected to be affected by fog.
Climatic context and causes of fog formation
Fog formation is a common natural phenomenon in the Kingdom during seasonal transitions, especially with lower nighttime temperatures and high atmospheric humidity. Fog forms when the air near the Earth's surface cools to its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets that remain suspended in the air, thus reducing visibility. Geographical features also play a role in increasing fog density, particularly in coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and mountainous regions like Asir.
The importance and expected effects of the phenomenon
This warning is of paramount importance given its direct impact on public safety and economic activity. Locally, reduced visibility poses a significant risk to drivers on highways and main roads connecting these cities, increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents. Relevant authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense, have issued warnings to drivers, urging them to exercise caution, reduce speed, use fog lights, and maintain a safe following distance.
Regionally and internationally, these weather conditions could affect air traffic at major airports within the warning area, such as King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Abha International Airport, potentially causing delays or rescheduling of some flights. Additionally, the Eastern Province, a vital hub for the oil industry and maritime shipping, may experience minor disruptions to its port logistics operations due to limited visibility and navigational difficulties.
