Advanced warning from the National Center for Meteorology
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced warning this morning, Thursday, regarding unstable weather conditions, cautioning against the formation of dense fog that will lead to a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility. The center explained that this weather phenomenon will affect four main regions, starting from the early morning hours until 8:00 AM, necessitating the highest levels of caution, especially for those using highways and main roads in those areas.
General context and climatic background of the phenomenon
This warning comes amidst the climatic changes the region is experiencing during the transitional periods between seasons, when the likelihood of fog formation increases. Fog typically forms when air near the Earth's surface cools below the dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets that remain suspended in the air. Geographical factors play a crucial role in increasing the intensity of this phenomenon. In coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and Jazan, high humidity from the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea contributes to the formation of dense fog. In mountainous regions like Asir and Taif, what is known as "mountain fog" forms as moist air rises and cools on the mountain slopes. The National Center of Meteorology is the official body responsible for monitoring these phenomena and issuing the necessary warnings to protect lives and property, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to enhance early warning systems and manage natural hazards.
Details of affected areas and expected impacts
According to the weather report, the fog will cause a significant decrease in visibility, potentially reaching near-zero visibility in some areas, posing a real threat to public safety. The affected areas include, in detail:
- The Eastern Province: It includes vital cities such as Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, in addition to Al-Nairiyah and Qaryat Al-Ulya.
- Makkah Region: This includes the highlands in Taif and Maysan, and the coastal areas in Al Qunfudhah and Al Lith.
- Asir region: It is affected by the cities of Abha, Ahad Rafidah, Al Majardah, Al Namas, Bariq, Balqarn, Tanomah, Khamis Mushait, Rijal Alma, Mahayil, and coastal areas such as Al Birk and Al Qahmah.
- Jazan region: The effects are concentrated on Darb, Bish, and Jazan city.
The importance of the warning and its potential impact on vital sectors
The importance of this alert lies in its direct impact on several vital sectors. In the transportation , the risk of traffic accidents increases significantly, prompting relevant authorities such as the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defense to intensify their presence and issue safe driving guidelines. Air may also be noticeably affected, with the possibility of delays or rescheduling of some flights at airports within the affected area, such as King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Abha Regional Airport. The impact may extend to maritime traffic at the main ports in the Eastern Province and Jazan. Therefore, citizens and residents are advised to follow continuous updates from official sources, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of fog, and check flight status before heading to airports.
