The National Center for Meteorology issues a new weather alert
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia, through its early warning system, issued an important alert regarding the expected weather conditions for Friday. The report warned of light fog that could lead to a noticeable decrease in horizontal visibility in scattered areas of five major regions during the early morning hours. The center explained that this weather phenomenon began in the early morning and is expected to continue until 8:00 AM, urging residents and drivers to exercise caution.
Affected areas and associated impacts
According to the weather report, the main impact of this weather system is a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers in the areas covered by the warning. The list of affected regions and governorates includes the following:
- Eastern Province: Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Adid, and Dha’balutan.
- Makkah Region: The coastal governorates of Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudhah.
- Asir region: Abha, Ahad Rafidah, and Khamis Mushait.
- Jazan region: Al Darb, Bish, Farasan, and Jazan city.
- Northern Border Region: Rafha and Al-Uwaiqilah.
Climate context and the importance of early warnings
Fog formation is a common phenomenon in some regions of the Kingdom during certain times of the year, particularly during winter and the transitional periods between seasons. Fog typically forms when the air near the Earth's surface cools to the dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets that remain suspended in the air. High relative humidity, especially in coastal areas near the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, contributes to the likelihood of fog formation. This highlights the crucial role of the National Center of Meteorology in monitoring these phenomena and issuing early warnings, which helps protect lives and property and enhances public safety.
Expected effects and safety guidelines
Reduced horizontal visibility poses a significant challenge to road safety, particularly on highways connecting the aforementioned cities and provinces. Authorities, such as the General Directorate of Traffic and the Highway Patrol, typically issue strict instructions to drivers in such conditions, urging them to reduce speed, use fog lights, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid overtaking except in cases of extreme necessity. Air traffic at airports within the warning zone, such as Abha International Airport and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jazan, may also be affected, potentially leading to delays in takeoffs and landings to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Therefore, travelers are advised to contact their airlines to confirm their flight schedules.
