The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued urgent weather alerts for Tuesday morning, indicating that large parts of five major regions would be affected by fog of varying intensity. The center explained in its daily report that this weather condition necessitates caution due to its direct impact on horizontal visibility on highways and in open areas.
According to meteorological data, the weather phenomenon began in the early morning hours and will continue until 7:00 AM in some areas, while extending to 8:00 AM in others. The accompanying effects range from reduced horizontal visibility of 3-5 kilometers to near-zero visibility of 1-3 kilometers in the most affected areas, posing a challenge for drivers and those using highways.
Areas and cities affected by the weather conditions
The report included a detailed breakdown of the cities and governorates experiencing this wave of fog, which are as follows:
- The Eastern Province includes Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, and Al-Udayd Governorate. Coastal areas in the Eastern Province are among the most prone to fog due to high humidity levels.
- Makkah Region: Jeddah, Al Qunfudhah, Rabigh, Adham, Maysan, Taif, Al Muwayh, Al Ardiyat, Ash Shu'aibah and Al Lith were all affected.
- Madinah: The alert included the governorates of Badr, Al-Mahd, and Wadi Al-Fara.
- Al-Baha region: Fog covered Al-Hujrah, Al-Makhwah, Far'ah Ghamid Al-Zanad, and Qalwah.
- Asir region: The situation included the city of Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Al-Harjah, Al-Rabou’ah, Al-Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, Khamis Mushait, Sarat Abidah, and Dhahran Al-Janoub.
Geographical context and the importance of warnings
These warnings come amidst the usual weather fluctuations experienced by the Kingdom during seasonal transitions and winter, when conditions are favorable for the formation of radiation fog or haze. The Kingdom's diverse geography plays a significant role in the variation of this phenomenon; in coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and Jeddah, fog forms due to the air becoming saturated with moisture from the sea, while in mountainous and highland regions such as Asir, Al-Baha, and Taif, fog forms as a result of clouds touching the ground surface in cooler temperatures.
These warnings are of paramount importance locally, as they directly impact morning traffic, especially since the weather conditions coincide with peak hours when employees and students are commuting to work and school. Authorities, including traffic police and civil defense, consistently urge drivers in such conditions to reduce speed, use fog lights, and maintain a safe following distance to avoid traffic accidents caused by poor visibility.
The National Center of Meteorology continues its vital role in monitoring weather changes and issuing early warnings in accordance with international standards, which contributes to raising the level of public safety and enabling service providers to take the necessary measures to deal with different weather conditions.
