Advanced weather warnings from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a series of advanced warnings on Friday regarding significant weather fluctuations affecting various regions of the Kingdom. The warnings focused on the Eastern Province, which is experiencing dense fog and moderate rainfall, as well as the Tabuk region, which is affected by strong winds. This necessitates increased caution among residents and drivers.
Heavy fog and rain in the Eastern Province
The center warned of a dense fog affecting large parts of the Eastern Province, including Dammam, Dhahran, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Jubail, Ras Tanura, Qatif, Khobar, Abqaiq, Al-Udayd, and Dhabalutan. The center explained that this dense fog could lead to near-zero horizontal visibility, dropping to less than one kilometer, especially on highways and in open areas. It noted that this condition is expected to persist until 9:00 AM.
In a related development, the center warned of light to moderate rainfall in the governorates of Khafji, Hafr al-Batin, and Qaryat al-Ulya. This rainfall will be accompanied by active winds that may reduce visibility, with a possibility of hail, thunderstorms, flash floods in valleys, and high waves along the coast. This weather pattern is expected to continue until 10:00 AM.
Active winds and high waves in Tabuk
In the northwest of the Kingdom, the center issued an alert for the Tabuk region regarding active winds affecting Al-Bida, Haql, Duba, and Neom Sharma. The report stated that these winds, which could reach speeds of 40 to 49 km/h, will cause a decrease in horizontal visibility due to dust and sandstorms, and a significant rise in waves along the coasts. The center urged caution, indicating that this condition will persist until 7:00 PM.
Importance and general context of weather warnings
These warnings are part of the vital role played by the National Center for Meteorology in protecting lives and property through a sophisticated early warning system. These alerts are particularly important given the geographical and climatic characteristics of the affected areas. The Eastern Province, being a vital industrial and economic hub with a complex road network, is more susceptible to fog, which increases the risk of traffic accidents. As for the Tabuk region, which is experiencing rapid urban and tourism development with mega-projects like NEOM, strong winds and high waves pose a challenge to the safety of maritime activities and construction work. These warnings enable relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, to take the necessary preventative measures to ensure public safety.
