The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued weather for early Monday morning, indicating the formation of fog of varying intensity that will directly affect horizontal visibility in large parts of nine administrative regions of the Kingdom. This report comes as part of the close monitoring of seasonal weather fluctuations that the country experiences during this time of year.
Weather details and fog locations
The center explained in its report that the effects of this weather condition include a decrease in horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers in some locations, while visibility may reach near-zero (1 to 3 kilometers) in others. This necessitates caution from those using highways and open roads. The affected areas include the following:
- Eastern Province: Jubail, Khobar, Khafji, Dammam, Qatif, and Ras Tanura.
- Mecca, Taif and Maysan.
- Medina: Al-Ula and Khaybar.
- Asir region: Abha, Al Namas, Balqarn, Tanomah, and Khamis Mushait.
- Tabuk region: Tayma, Haql, and Tabuk city.
- Northern borders: Al-Uwayqilah and Arar.
- Al-Jawf region: Al-Qurayyat, Tabarjal, and Tarif.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
- Jazan region: Al-Harth, Al-Dayer, Al-Raith, Al-Ardah, Al-Aydabi, Fifa, and Haroub.
Weather phenomena in the Eastern region
In addition to the fog, the National Center for Meteorology issued an additional warning for the Eastern Province regarding active surface winds that will stir up dust and sand. This phenomenon will begin at 7:00 AM and continue until 4:00 PM, particularly affecting the governorates of Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, Abqaiq, and Hafr Al-Batin. The dust is expected to reduce horizontal visibility to levels ranging between 3 and 5 kilometers.
The importance of warnings and safety guidelines
These warnings are of great importance due to the geographical diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where coastal areas such as the Eastern Province and Jazan are affected by fog resulting from high humidity coming from the sea, while mountainous areas such as Asir, Al-Baha and Taif are affected by highland fog that forms as a result of low temperatures and the condensation of clouds touching the ground surface.
Weather experts and security authorities, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic, advise drivers to adhere to traffic regulations for driving in difficult weather conditions, such as using fog lights, leaving a sufficient safety distance between vehicles, and avoiding excessive speed, to ensure the safety of lives and property, especially on external roads that connect the affected cities and governorates.
