Saudi forces conclude military exercises

RIYADH: The Tabuk region in northwestern Saudi Arabia experienced a sharp drop in temperatures with the mercury level nosediving to below zero in the early hours on Friday, particularly in open desert areas, where ice formed on water ponds and basins.

The phenomenon underscores the impact of the polar wave on the region, which often faces harsh cold waves during winter due to polar air masses from northern Europe.

Consequently, temperatures have significantly dropped to the sub-zero with the winter landscapes continuing to be an integral aspect of the seasonal character of the Tabuk region.

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast cold to very cold temperatures in the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, and Tabuk regions, as well as the northern parts of Madinah region, with a possibility of frost in some of these regions.

The NCM has also predicted the possibility of fog formation in parts of Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha and Makkah regions.

An intense sandstorm engulfed several areas in Saudi Arabia on Friday as the NCM had forecast, dust-stirring winds with low temperatures in the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions as well as parts of Najran.

The sandstorm gripped Riyadh, enveloping the Saudi capital’s skyline with gray haze on Friday morning, hampering visibility due to the widespread dust, and forcing authorities to issue a weather warning.

The traffic department has advised motorists to drive slowly and exercise restraint.

A speeding BMW car was seen upturned after it rammed into a roadside fence near Takhassusi Street on Makkah road on Friday afternoon. Riyadh police rushed to the site and were seen providing assistance.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense has advised residents to avoid going to outskirt spots to avoid accidents during the sandstorm.

Abdul Ghaffar, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “Friday being (the) weekend, we had an outing plan with family for a barbeque party at Wadi Namar, but the sandstorm that enveloped the city and its outskirts in gray haze this morning has forced us to change the plan, and we decided to remain indoors instead.”