On Tuesday, the northern regions of Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant and sharp drop in temperatures, with the province of Tarif entering the freezing zone by recording a minimum temperature of one degree below zero Celsius, in a clear indication of the deepening of the cold air mass affecting the Kingdom's atmosphere during this period.
Details of recorded temperatures
According to data issued by the National Center for Meteorology, Tarif was not the only place that experienced extreme cold. Al-Qurayyat recorded zero degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Tabuk and Hail ranged around 3 degrees Celsius, and both Arar and Sakaka recorded 4 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Buraidah stopped at the 5-degree Celsius mark, reflecting the comprehensiveness of the cold wave over large parts of the northern and central regions.
Climate context and the impact of the cold wave
These temperature drops are part of the typical winter weather patterns in the northern regions of the Kingdom, which are usually influenced by Siberian high-pressure systems or polar air masses from the north. This weather pattern is particularly significant due to its direct impact on daily life, as the formation of frost in the early morning hours necessitates caution, especially for farmers to protect their crops, and for drivers on the highways connecting the northern cities.
Accompanying weather phenomena: fog and frost
The National Center for Meteorology's report indicated that the weather conditions are not limited to a drop in temperature, but are also accompanied by active surface winds and fog formation, leading to reduced horizontal visibility. These warnings cover parts of the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Hail, and Northern Borders regions, and extend to include the northern parts of the Qassim and Eastern regions. The possibility of frost formation remains high during the dawn and early morning hours.
Rainfall conditions and sea wind patterns
In contrast to the dry and cold weather in the north, forecasts indicate chances of light rain with partly cloudy skies over the southwestern highlands, specifically in parts of the Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha regions, accompanied by fog formation over the highlands.
Regarding sea conditions, the Red Sea is experiencing active northwesterly to northerly surface winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h in the northern and central parts, while southeasterly winds prevail in the southern part. Wind speeds may reach 45 km/h towards the Gulf of Aqaba and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, leading to wave heights of up to two meters in those areas. This necessitates caution from seafarers and fishermen.
As for the Arabian Gulf, it is experiencing relatively active northwesterly winds in its northern part, with wave heights ranging from half a meter to one and a half meters, and the sea state is light to moderate, making the marine atmosphere relatively stable compared to some parts of the Red Sea.
