The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced its latest report on the minimum temperatures recorded on Thursday/Friday night, which showed a significant variation in the climatic conditions between the different regions of the Kingdom, as the city of Dammam and the capital Riyadh recorded 9 degrees Celsius, indicating the continuation of relatively cold weather in the central and eastern regions during the night hours.
Temperature details in Saudi cities
According to data issued by the center, temperatures varied significantly, reflecting the geographical diversity of the Kingdom, with the recorded readings being as follows:
- The coldest areas: Tabuk and Al-Soudah recorded 4 degrees Celsius, while Tarif recorded 5 degrees, and Hail 6 degrees, reflecting the harsh winter weather in the northern regions and highlands.
- Major and central cities: Riyadh, Dammam, Buraidah, Taif, Dawadmi, Majmaah and Rawdat Tanhat all recorded 9 degrees Celsius.
- Warm and coastal areas: Jazan and Al Qunfudhah maintained warm weather with a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, while Jeddah and Makkah recorded 18 degrees Celsius.
List of other cities:
- Medina: 11 degrees Celsius.
- Abha: 8 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Baha, Arar, Sakaka, and Al-Qurayyat: 7 degrees Celsius.
- Najran: 11 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Ula, Hafr Al-Batin and Al-Daman: 8 degrees Celsius.
- Yanbu, Wadi Al-Dawasir, and Sharurah: 13 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Kharj: 10 degrees Celsius.
- Face: 15 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Ahsa and Bisha: 12 degrees Celsius.
Climate diversity and its impact on daily life
These figures reflect the diverse geographical nature of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; while the northern regions such as Tarif and Al-Qurayyat experience a sharp drop in temperatures that sometimes approaches zero degrees Celsius due to the influence of air masses coming from the north, the western coastal regions such as Jeddah and Jazan enjoy moderate to warm weather thanks to the influence of the Red Sea and relative humidity.
This variation plays a significant role in shaping tourism and social activities within the Kingdom. In such weather, where areas like the Ad-Dahna Desert and Rawdat At-Tanhat record temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius, the winter camping season (kashtat) is in full swing, with citizens and residents preferring to head out to the desert to enjoy the cool weather away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, while taking precautions and ensuring safe heating methods are in place.
The importance of following weather reports
Experts emphasize the importance of following the daily bulletins issued by the National Center for Meteorology, especially for drivers on highways connecting cities, as the drop in temperatures may be accompanied by fog or frost in the early morning hours, particularly in mountainous and open areas. This data also helps farmers in agricultural regions such as Qassim, Tabuk, and Hail to take the necessary measures to protect their crops from sudden cold snaps.
