The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued advanced warnings on Wednesday regarding the weather conditions in the Tabuk and Najran regions, warning of a wave of active winds and dust storms that would reduce horizontal visibility and affect public safety and traffic.
Alert details in the Tabuk region
In the Tabuk region, located in the northwest of the Kingdom, the center warned of continued dust storms and strong winds affecting the governorates of Al Wajh and Umluj. The report explained that these weather conditions would lead to near-zero horizontal visibility, expected to range between 1 and 3 kilometers. Additionally, the center warned of high waves along the Red Sea coast, urging seafarers and fishermen to exercise caution. The center indicated that these weather conditions were expected to persist, God willing, until 6:00 PM today.
Similar warnings in the Najran region
In a related development, warnings were issued for the Najran region in southern Saudi Arabia, where the center cautioned of blowing dust accompanied by strong winds that would reduce horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This includes the city of Najran and the governorates of Badr Al-Janoub, Habuna, and Khubash. The center urged residents of these areas to exercise caution, especially drivers on highways. This weather condition is expected to persist until 11:00 PM.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These warnings are issued in light of the climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia, characterized by its vast desert environment, making it prone to sand and dust storms, especially during seasonal transitions. Changes in atmospheric pressure systems play a key role in the activity of surface winds that stir up dust and sand from open areas. The National Center of Meteorology plays a vital role in monitoring these phenomena and issuing early warnings to protect lives and property, utilizing the latest technologies in meteorological observation and numerical weather modeling.
Expected effects and safety guidelines
Such weather conditions have direct impacts on various aspects of daily life. In terms of health, asthma and respiratory patients are advised to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. Regarding transportation, reduced visibility increases the risk of traffic accidents and can sometimes affect air traffic at airports. Authorities, such as Civil Defense and Traffic Police, emphasize the importance of following safety guidelines, reducing speed while driving, and ensuring that windows in homes and buildings are tightly closed to prevent dust from entering.
