A cold wave and a sharp drop in temperatures
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a warning about a severe cold wave affecting large parts of four regions, accompanied by frost, during the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to the report, this weather phenomenon is expected to begin at 1:00 AM and continue until 8:00 AM, with temperatures dropping significantly to between zero and three degrees Celsius below zero.
Affected areas and alert details
The center identified the regions and governorates that will be most affected by this cold wave, which is concentrated in the north of the Kingdom, as follows:
- Hail region: It includes the city of Hail and the governorates of Baqaa and Muwaqq.
- Tabuk region: The impact is concentrated on the northern highlands such as Jabal Al-Lawz and Al-Aqan.
- Al-Jawf region: includes Sakaka, Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabarjal.
- Northern Border Region: Includes Arar, Rafha, Tarif, and Al-Uwaiqilah.
The climatic context of cold waves in Saudi Arabia
Despite the common perception of the Kingdom's hot desert climate, its northern and northwestern regions exhibit significant climatic diversity. During winter, these areas are subject to the intrusion of cold air masses originating from Central Asia and Europe, known as the Siberian High. These dry, cold air masses cause a sharp drop in temperatures, particularly at night and in the early morning hours, creating ideal conditions for frost formation on crops and exposed surfaces when temperatures fall below freezing.
Expected effects and the importance of warnings
These cold waves have direct impacts on various sectors. In agriculture, frost poses a significant threat to crops, particularly in regions like Al-Jawf and Hail, which are renowned for their olive and fruit production. This necessitates that farmers take preventative measures to protect their crops. In the health sector, relevant authorities are issuing warnings to citizens and residents, especially the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses, urging them to take precautions and wear warm winter clothing to prevent catching colds. These conditions also affect road safety, as frost can make roads slippery, requiring careful driving.
Another warning: Dust storms in the eastern region
Coinciding with the cold wave in the north, the National Center for Meteorology issued another alert for the Eastern Province, warning of strong surface winds that could stir up dust and sand. This alert begins Tuesday evening and continues until Wednesday morning, covering a wide area including Dammam, Khobar, Qatif, Jubail, Khafji, Hafr Al-Batin, and Al-Ahsa. These strong winds are expected to cause near-zero visibility and high waves along the coast, necessitating caution from those traveling on land and sea routes.
