The National Center for Meteorology issued an urgent red alert today, warning of severe atmospheric instability affecting specific areas in the north of the Kingdom. This warning comes as part of the center's ongoing and meticulous monitoring of weather fluctuations to protect lives and property.
Red alert details and affected areas
The center explained in its report that the weather system is directly affecting the Al-Jawf and Northern Borders , with warnings issued for major cities and towns including Al-Qurayyat, Tabuk, and Tarif. Meteorological forecasts indicate that these areas will be hit by a strong wave of dust storms and dense sandstorms.
The effects of this situation include a near-total lack of horizontal visibility, where visibility may reach less than one kilometer in some locations, accompanied by active winds that increase dust stirring up and impede traffic, especially on highways and open roads that connect those governorates.
What does a red alert mean?
The "Red Alert" is the highest level of alert in the National Center for Meteorology's automated early warning system. This color indicates severe or violent weather phenomena that require citizens and residents to exercise extreme caution, strictly follow the instructions of the relevant authorities, and stay away from hazardous areas. This system reflects the significant development of the Kingdom's meteorological infrastructure and its ability to proactively forecast and mitigate natural hazards.
Safety recommendations and how to deal with dust storms
In light of these conditions, weather experts and public safety authorities advise following important preventative guidelines, including:
- For drivers: Exercise extreme caution while driving, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, use warning signals when necessary, or stop completely in a safe place off the road if visibility is completely zero.
- For respiratory patients: Those with asthma, allergies, and chest diseases are advised to stay indoors and avoid direct exposure to dust, wear medical masks when absolutely necessary to go out, and keep windows and doors tightly closed to prevent dust from entering.
Weather conditions in the rest of the Kingdom
Meanwhile, coinciding with the dust storms in the north, the center had issued a warning in its morning weather report for the day, indicating the formation of fog of varying intensity across large parts of the Kingdom. The warning covered parts of nine different regions, where dense fog prevailed during the early morning hours.
The fog reduced horizontal visibility to between (3-5) kilometers in some locations, while other locations experienced near-zero visibility (1-3) kilometers, prompting similar warnings to drivers in those areas.
The National Center of Meteorology emphasizes the need to follow its updated reports through its official platforms and accredited media outlets, to ensure access to accurate information about the rapidly evolving weather conditions.
