The governorate of Tarif and its suburbs in the Northern Borders region witnessed light rainfall today, bringing with it pleasant weather and optimism from the residents, in line with the expectations of the National Meteorological Center, which indicated in its daily report the continued chance of rainfall in scattered parts of the Kingdom.
The climatic context of the Northern Borders region
The Northern Borders region, and the city of Tarif in particular, is known for its continental desert climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and bitterly cold winters. Tarif often records the lowest temperatures in the Kingdom during winter, and snow may occasionally fall. Given its arid nature, even light rainfall is a significant event, contributing to the revitalization of the desert environment and serving as an indicator of the arrival of bountiful seasons like the "Wasam" rainy season, which the inhabitants eagerly await.
The importance of rainfall and its local and regional impact
Locally, these rains are of paramount importance; they contribute to improved air quality by reducing dust and suspended particles, which has a positive impact on public health. They also nourish the natural vegetation upon which livestock depend for grazing and replenish groundwater reserves, the lifeblood of these desert regions. Regionally, the rainfall affecting Tarif is often part of a broader weather system impacting other areas in the north and center of the Kingdom, and may even extend to neighboring countries. This underscores the importance of monitoring reports from the National Center of Meteorology to understand cloud movement and low-pressure systems.
National Center of Meteorology forecasts
The National Center for Meteorology had predicted in its report the continuation of thunderstorms of varying intensity, accompanied by active winds stirring up dust and sand, in parts of the Northern Borders, Eastern, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, and Makkah regions. The center consistently emphasizes the need to exercise caution and adhere to the instructions of the relevant authorities, especially during rainfall, and to stay away from valleys and floodplains to ensure everyone's safety.
