The National Center for Meteorology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued its daily report on the weather in Saudi Arabia for this Thursday, indicating expectations of continued atmospheric stability over most regions of the Kingdom, while the weather phenomena affecting the reduction of horizontal visibility due to fog are concentrated in specific areas.
Weather forecast: Stable conditions and dense fog
The center explained in its statement that the weather will be generally stable, creating suitable conditions for outdoor activities in most cities and provinces. However, the report cautioned that there remains a chance of fog during the late night and early morning hours. Areas affected by this phenomenon include parts of the Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan highlands, as well as the southern parts of the Eastern Province, necessitating caution while driving on highways in those areas.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Regarding maritime traffic, the report detailed the situation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf as follows:
- Red Sea: Surface winds are variable in direction, ranging from northwesterly to northerly in the northern part, while shifting to southeasterly and southwesterly in the central and southern parts. Wind speeds range from 12 to 35 km/h, reaching up to 45 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, causing waves to reach up to two meters in that area. Waves are light to moderate in the remaining areas.
- Arabian Gulf: Surface winds will be northwesterly at a speed of 10 to 28 km/h, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one meter, and the sea state will be light, making it suitable for fishing and navigation activities.
The geographical and climatic context of the Kingdom
These forecasts are based on the diverse geography of Saudi Arabia, where topography plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns. While the central and northern regions generally enjoy dry and stable weather at this time of year, the Sarawat Mountains (which include Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah) act as natural windbreaks, trapping moist winds and contributing to cloud condensation and fog formation, especially with the drop in nighttime temperatures.
The importance and impact of warnings
The National Center of Meteorology's reports are of paramount importance both locally and regionally, as security and service agencies such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol rely on them to regulate traffic and issue warnings to citizens and residents. Fog is among the most impactful weather phenomena on road safety, as reduced visibility can cause traffic accidents if speed limits are not observed and fog lights are not used.
Monitoring the state of the Red Sea, specifically near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, is of international strategic and economic importance, given that it is a vital passage for global trade, as wind speed and wave height affect the movement of commercial ships and traditional fishing boats in the region.
