The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for Thursday evening, warning of unstable weather conditions that will directly affect large parts of the Riyadh and Eastern regions. The center explained in its report that these areas will experience significant surface wind activity, leading to dust storms and sandstorms, urging citizens and residents, especially those traveling on highways, to exercise caution.
Affected areas and timing of the event
According to the weather report, the dust storm will continue until 9:00 PM today. The most directly affected areas include the governorates of Al-Aflaj, As-Sulayyil, and Wadi Ad-Dawasir in the Riyadh region. In the Eastern Province, the warning covers a large number of cities and governorates, including Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Khafji, An-Nairiyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, and Abqaiq. This phenomenon is accompanied by a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers, requiring extra caution while driving.
Climatic context and atmospheric conditions
These weather fluctuations are part of the Kingdom's typical climatic pattern during seasonal transitions. The Kingdom's desert geography makes it highly susceptible to strong winds that stir up dust and sand, particularly in open areas. These phenomena are part of the weather system affecting the Arabian Peninsula, where differences in atmospheric pressure play a key role in surface wind activity.
Temperature and rainfall forecast
Regarding temperatures, the National Center for Meteorology indicated that cold to very cold weather will continue to prevail across large parts of northern and central Saudi Arabia, including the regions of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, Hail, and Al-Qassim, extending to parts of Riyadh and the Eastern Province. This cold wave coincides with the possibility of frost and fog during the night and early morning hours, making it essential to wear appropriate winter clothing and ensure safe heating of homes.
Regarding rainfall, the report did not rule out the possibility of scattered showers, with partly to mostly cloudy skies expected over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions. These chances may extend to parts of Riyadh and the Eastern Province. Authorities consistently emphasize the importance of monitoring official weather forecasts and adhering to public safety instructions issued by the Civil Defense in such conditions to ensure everyone's safety.
