The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report, revealing a significant variation in minimum temperatures recorded across the Kingdom's cities and regions on Thursday night/Friday morning. The city of Dammam, located on the Arabian Gulf coast, recorded a low of 13 degrees Celsius, while other areas of the Kingdom experienced conditions ranging from relatively warm to very cold.
General context and the diversity of the Kingdom's climate
This variation in temperatures reflects the diverse geographical and climatic characteristics of Saudi Arabia. While coastal areas such as Dammam, Jeddah, and Jazan enjoy relatively mild and humid winters, inland and central regions like Riyadh and Hafr al-Batin experience drier and colder winters, especially during the night and early morning hours. The northern regions and southwestern highlands record the lowest temperatures in the country, sometimes approaching or dropping below freezing, leading to frost.
The importance and impact of weather reports
The National Center of Meteorology's reports are of paramount importance to citizens and residents in planning their daily activities. This data helps in taking necessary precautions to prevent colds, especially among children and the elderly. It also directly impacts vital sectors such as agriculture, where farmers rely on weather forecasts to protect their crops from sudden frosts. Locally, these temperature fluctuations affect energy consumption, as the demand for heating increases in colder regions, putting pressure on electricity grids.
Temperature details in the cities of the Kingdom
According to the center's statement, the minimum temperatures recorded were as follows, illustrating the vast climatic differences between the regions of the Kingdom:
- Northern regions (colder): Sakaka and Tarif (5 degrees), Arar, Hail, Tabuk and Al Qurayyat (6 degrees).
- Central region: Riyadh and Hafr Al-Batin (10 degrees), Buraidah and Al-Zulfi (8 degrees).
- Eastern Province: Dammam (13 degrees), Al-Ahsa (12 degrees).
- Western Region: Makkah and Jeddah (22 degrees), Madinah and Yanbu (16 degrees), Taif (12 degrees).
- Southern region: Jazan and Al Qunfudhah (24 degrees), Abha (9 degrees), Najran (13 degrees), Al Baha (11 degrees).
It is advisable to follow the continuous updates from the National Center of Meteorology to obtain accurate information about expected weather phenomena such as fog or active winds that may accompany these cold air masses.
