The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a weather alert for Saturday, warning of strong winds stirring up dust and sand in the Al-Jawf region, including the city of Sakaka and the governorates of Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Qurayyat, and Tabuk. The center explained that this weather condition will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 7:00 PM, and is expected to significantly reduce horizontal visibility to between 1 and 3 kilometers.
The climatic context of the Al-Jawf region
The Al-Jawf region, located in northern Saudi Arabia, is part of a continental desert climate zone, characterized by hot, dry summers and cold winters. Due to its geography and proximity to the Great Nafud Desert, the region is frequently affected by sand and dust storms, particularly during seasonal transitions. These phenomena are typically caused by low-pressure systems that increase surface wind speeds, stirring up sand and dust from the dry, exposed land and creating dust storms that affect air quality and visibility.
Expected effects and the importance of warnings
These weather warnings are of paramount importance to public safety, as reduced visibility poses a significant risk to traffic on highways and main roads connecting the region's cities and governorates. Authorities, such as Civil Defense and Traffic Police, urge drivers to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe following distance to avoid accidents.
On the health front, asthma and respiratory patients, the elderly, and children are advised to avoid going out in such weather unless absolutely necessary, and to keep windows tightly closed to prevent dust from entering homes. Air traffic at local airports in the region may also be affected, potentially leading to delays or rescheduling of some flights to ensure flight safety. The National Center of Meteorology plays a vital role in providing accurate and timely information, contributing to raising awareness and enabling individuals and government agencies to take the necessary preventative measures to mitigate the negative impacts of these weather phenomena.
Other alerts in regions of the Kingdom
In addition to the warning for the Al-Jawf region, the center had previously issued a yellow alert for the Eastern Province, including the governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif and Ras Tanura, warning of light rain accompanied by active winds and reduced visibility due to fog, which calls for caution while driving in those areas.
