Northern regions of Saudi Arabia experienced a noticeable drop in temperatures, with Al-Qurayyat recording the lowest temperature of the day at 3 degrees Celsius, reflecting the cold winter weather typical of this time of year. Khamis Mushait came in second in terms of coldness, registering 4 degrees Celsius, while Abha and Tarif both recorded 5 degrees Celsius, according to weather monitoring stations.
Regarding the general weather forecast for Thursday, January 8th, the National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report, indicating – God willing – that the weather will be generally stable across most regions of the Kingdom. This stability is a positive sign for picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts; however, the Center cautioned against the need for vigilance in certain areas due to weather phenomena expected during the night and early morning hours.
Weather forecasts indicate a continued chance of dense fog formation, which may reduce horizontal visibility during the late night and early morning hours. This weather pattern is concentrated over parts of the Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions, due to their mountainous terrain and high humidity levels. The chance of fog also extends to the southern parts of the Eastern Province, urging drivers on highways and open roads in these areas to exercise caution.
Sea conditions and wind patterns
Regarding maritime conditions, the Red Sea is experiencing varying wind patterns. Surface winds are northwesterly to northerly in the northern part, while they shift to southeasterly and southwesterly in the central and southern parts. Wind speeds range from 12 to 35 km/h, and may increase to 45 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway directly affected by wind speed variations. Wave heights in the Red Sea range from half a meter to one and a half meters, and may reach two meters towards the strait. Sea conditions are described as slight to moderate.
In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds are northwesterly, with speeds ranging from 10 to 28 km/h, resulting in relatively stable sea conditions. Wave heights are estimated at half a meter to one meter, and the sea state is calm, making it suitable for fishing and normal maritime navigation activities.
This data reflects the importance of continuously monitoring the weather bulletins issued by the National Center for Meteorology, especially in light of the winter weather fluctuations that the Kingdom is experiencing, where the diverse terrain of mountains, plains and coasts plays a major role in the variation in temperatures and weather phenomena between one region and another.
