The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a weather alert today for the Najran region, warning of dust storms that could directly affect air quality and horizontal visibility. The center explained that this weather phenomenon will affect the city of Najran and several surrounding governorates, including Badr Al-Janoub, Thar, Yadmah, Khubash, and Habuna.
Expected effects and recommendations for the population
According to the weather forecast, dust storms are expected to significantly reduce horizontal visibility, to between 3 and 5 kilometers. This weather condition began this morning and is expected to continue until 6:00 PM. These conditions pose a significant challenge, especially on highways and intercity roads, where drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and use fog lights if necessary to ensure their safety. On the health front, experts recommend that asthma and respiratory patients, the elderly, and children stay indoors and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. They also advise wearing protective masks if going out to minimize inhalation of dust and sand.
The climatic context of the dust-laden phenomenon in Saudi Arabia
Sandstorms and dust haze are common weather phenomena in Saudi Arabia and large parts of the Arabian Peninsula, due to its vast desert geography, most notably the Rub' al Khali desert, on whose northern edge the Najran region lies. These phenomena are typically triggered by monsoon winds or changes in atmospheric pressure, with winds carrying enormous quantities of sand and dust over long distances, impacting air quality and daily life in many areas. Relevant authorities in the Kingdom, primarily the National Center for Meteorology, monitor these phenomena and issue early warnings to mitigate their negative effects on the population and vital sectors.
General weather conditions in the rest of the Kingdom
In a related development, the warnings were not limited to the Najran region. The weather report indicated expectations of moderate to heavy thunderstorms in parts of the Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions. These storms may be accompanied by hail and flash floods in some valleys and ravines. The forecast also extends to light rain in the northern parts of the Eastern Province and the highlands of the western and southwestern regions of the Kingdom, reflecting the significant variation in weather conditions across the Kingdom's vast geography throughout the day.
