The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced details of the minimum temperatures recorded in various cities and governorates of the Kingdom on Thursday/Friday night, as many regions witnessed a significant drop in temperatures, reflecting the state of atmospheric instability and cold waves affecting the region during this period of the year.
Details of recorded temperatures
The city of Dammam recorded 9 degrees Celsius, while temperatures varied significantly between the northern regions, where temperatures approached zero degrees Celsius, and the western coastal areas, which remained relatively mild. The complete list of minimum temperatures is as follows:
- Tarif: 0 degrees Celsius (the lowest recorded).
- Tabuk: 1 degree Celsius.
- Arar and Al Qurayyat: 2 degrees Celsius.
- Sakaka and Al-Soudah: 3 degrees Celsius.
- Hail and Rafha: 4 degrees Celsius.
- Buraydah and Al Majma'ah: 5 degrees Celsius.
- Abha, Al-Ula, Al-Dawadmi, and Hafr Al-Batin: 7 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Baha, Rawdat Al-Tanhat, Al-Dahna Desert, and Al-Daman: 8 degrees Celsius.
- Dammam, Medina, Riyadh, and Taif: 9 degrees Celsius.
- Najran, Al-Kharj, and Al-Ahsa: 10 degrees Celsius.
- Bisha: 11 degrees Celsius.
- Yanbu, Wadi Al-Dawasir, and Al-Wajh: 12 degrees Celsius.
- Sharurah: 13 degrees Celsius.
- Mecca: 17 degrees Celsius.
- Jeddah: 18 degrees Celsius.
- Al Qunfudhah: 22 degrees Celsius.
- Jazan: 23 degrees Celsius (the highest recorded).
Climate diversity and the impact of air masses
These figures reflect the great geographical and climatic diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While northern regions such as Tarif and Arar record very low temperatures approaching freezing due to the direct influence of cold air masses coming from the north, coastal regions such as Jeddah and Jazan maintain relatively warm temperatures due to the influence of the Red Sea and high humidity, which moderate the atmosphere and prevent a sharp drop in temperatures.
The importance of following weather reports
These daily reports issued by the National Center of Meteorology are of paramount importance to citizens and residents, as they help in taking necessary precautions, especially in areas experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures. Experts consistently recommend wearing heavy winter clothing in the central, northern, and eastern regions, and exercising caution while driving in the early morning hours due to the possibility of fog formation, which often accompanies these cold waves and reduces horizontal visibility.
This data also plays a vital role in the agricultural sector, as farmers in the northern regions need to take precautions to protect crops from potential frost waves when temperatures approach zero degrees Celsius, as is the case in Tarif and Tabuk.
