The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions on Saturday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the center warned of weather fluctuations including scattered rainfall, fog formation, in addition to surface wind activity that stirs up dust and sand, which may limit horizontal visibility in several regions.
Weather details and affected areas
According to the meteorological statement, there remains a chance of scattered rain in the western and southwestern parts of the Kingdom. This rainy weather coincides with a high probability of dense fog during the night and early morning hours, necessitating caution for those traveling on highways in those areas.
Regarding winds, the report noted the impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, leading to reduced horizontal visibility. This impact includes parts of the Hail and Madinah regions, extending to the western parts of the Riyadh region, and reaching the eastern parts of the Makkah and Asir regions.
State of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
The center explained the details of wave and wind movement in the water bodies as follows:
Red Sea
- Surface winds: They will be northwesterly to northerly on the northern and central parts at a speed of 20-40 km/h, while they will be southeasterly to southerly on the southern part at a speed of 10-30 km/h, and may reach a speed of 50 km/h with the formation of thunderclouds.
- Wave height: It ranges from one to two meters, and may reach two and a half meters in the central and southern parts in the event of thunderstorms.
- Sea state: Light to moderate waves, turning rough in the central and southern parts.
Arabian Gulf
- Surface winds: Northwesterly at a speed of 20-40 km/h.
- Wave height: from one meter to two meters.
- Sea state: Light to moderate waves.
The importance of following weather forecasts in the Kingdom
Daily weather forecasts are of paramount importance in Saudi Arabia due to the country's vast geographical diversity, with varying climatic conditions ranging from humid coastal areas to cold mountain regions and desert areas experiencing rapid fluctuations in temperature and wind patterns. These reports play a vital role in regulating traffic on the highways connecting cities, especially in light of weather phenomena such as dust storms and fog, which directly impact road safety.
Public safety recommendations
In these volatile conditions, experts and relevant authorities consistently advise following safety guidelines, especially for those with respiratory illnesses and asthma during dust storms, and avoiding high speeds while driving in fog or rain. Seafarers and fishermen are also advised to continuously monitor sea conditions before setting sail to ensure their safety.
