Saudi Arabia Records -3°C Temperature Amid Cold Wave
The governorate of Turaif in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders Region has recorded the kingdom’s lowest temperature on Wednesday with -3 degree celsius. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) confirmed that a significant cold air mass has settled over the region, leaving the landscape blanketed in frost.
The freeze has caused ice to form on roads and across open plains, marking one of the most intense periods of the current winter season.
“The public should take all necessary precautions against this sharp drop in temperatures,” the NCM said in an earlier advisory, noting that the most severe ice formation is occurring during the overnight and early morning hours.
Meanwhile, the NCM continues to monitor the movement of the cold air mass. Weather stations across the Northern Borders have been placed on alert to provide real-time updates as the freeze expands toward central regions.
The cold wave follows a series of warnings issued by meteorologists last week, urging citizens to limit exposure during the coldest parts of the day and to ensure heating systems are used safely.
Several regions across Saudi Arabia are expected to experience a sharp drop in temperatures and increasingly active surface winds from Tuesday through Thursday, according to the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM).
In a weather advisory, the NCM said the strong winds are likely to stir up dust and sand, reducing visibility in some areas, while minimum temperatures are forecast to fall significantly, particularly in northern parts of the Kingdom.
Temperatures are expected to range between 2°C and minus 2°C in Tabuk, Al Jouf, the Northern Borders, Hail, and the northern parts of the Madinah region. In Al Qassim and the northern areas of the Eastern Province and Riyadh region, minimum temperatures are forecast to drop to between 4°C and 1°C.
