The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an advanced weather warning for the coming hours, forecasting moderate to heavy thunderstorms across large parts of the Kingdom. According to the weather bulletin, the forecast includes the Qassim, Northern Borders, and Eastern Province regions, as well as the northern parts of the Riyadh region, where heavy rainfall is likely to cause flash flooding in valleys and ravines.

Weather details and its effects

The center explained that this weather system will be accompanied by other climatic phenomena, most notably hail showers, which will increase the severity of conditions in the affected areas. The report also noted that this rain wave will coincide with a significant drop in temperatures, preceded by active surface winds that may stir up dust and sand, leading to a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility, potentially reaching near-zero levels, especially in parts of the Tabuk and Madinah regions, particularly along their coasts.

The climatic context and the importance of rainfall for the Kingdom

These forecasts come amidst the weather fluctuations that the Arabian Peninsula experiences during the transitional periods between seasons. These rains, locally referred to as "rains of goodness and blessing," are vitally important for the Kingdom, which is characterized by its desert climate. They directly contribute to replenishing groundwater reservoirs and revitalizing vegetation and natural pastures, positively impacting both the agricultural and livestock sectors. Historically, the lives of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula have been intertwined with the rainy seasons, which determined migration routes and settlement patterns in search of water and grazing land.

Safety warnings and expected effects

Given these forecasts, relevant authorities, primarily the General Directorate of Civil Defense, are preparing to issue necessary warnings to citizens and residents. Emphasis is consistently placed on the need for caution, staying away from valleys and floodplains, and avoiding low-lying areas that could become dangerous water traps. Locally, these weather conditions are expected to affect traffic in cities and on highways, necessitating careful driving. The center also indicated that the chance of thunderstorms and rain remains high in parts of the western and southwestern regions, with the possibility of dense fog in parts of Al-Jawf and the aforementioned areas, which will increase visibility challenges during the early morning hours.

In a strategic move aimed at establishing a safe and sustainable work environment, the Saudi Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, has unveiled a comprehensive update to the regulations governing the responsibilities of those responsible for industrial safety and security. The updated regulations now bear a new title reflecting their comprehensiveness and precision: “Responsibilities of the Safety, Prevention, and Fire Protection Officer,” and apply to all government and private entities alike.

Development context and strategic objectives

This update comes as part of ongoing national efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places quality of life and fostering a safe and reliable investment environment at the heart of its priorities. For decades, the Civil Defense has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing safety standards in the Kingdom, and with the accelerating pace of major development projects, it has become essential to keep pace with these developments through modern legislation and regulations that ensure the highest levels of protection for lives and property.

The updated regulations focus on achieving a number of key objectives, most notably:

• Improving and raising the level of facility readiness: Moving from a reactive to a proactive prevention approach, equipping facilities to deal efficiently with potential daily incidents and to respond effectively in disaster situations.
• Ensuring the efficiency of prevention systems: Ensuring the effective operation of fire prevention and protection systems and their periodic maintenance, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents and limiting their effects.
• Enhancing spending efficiency: Directing financial resources towards investment in prevention, which proves its long-term economic viability compared to the costs of dealing with accidents and their consequences.
• Organizing the initial response: Establishing clear mechanisms for handling incidents initially within the facility, implementing organized and effective evacuation plans, and identifying the necessary means for this.

Importance and expected impact

The impact of this regulation is not limited to the organizational aspect alone, but extends to leave a clear mark on various levels:

At the local level, the update contributes to raising the level of self-regulation within organizations, which positively impacts the rate of compliance with safety requirements. It also clearly defines the qualifications and experience required for safety personnel, ensuring the presence of specialized staff capable of implementing best practices. This, in turn, strengthens the culture of safety in society and protects national and human resources.

At the regional and international levels, this development reinforces the Kingdom's position as an attractive environment for foreign investment. Investors and global companies seek markets with clear regulations and legislation that guarantee the safety of their assets and employees. By aligning its standards with international best practices, Saudi Arabia sends a message of confidence to the world, affirming that its mega-projects are built on a solid foundation of security and safety, thus ensuring their sustainability and success.

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a warning of a sandstorm expected to form on Sunday, directly impacting the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, with its effects extending to the Najran region in the south of the Kingdom. The center urged citizens and residents in these areas to take precautions.

Details of the expected weather conditions

The center explained in its report that the weather conditions will be characterized by a noticeable increase in surface wind activity, which will stir up large amounts of dust and sand. These conditions will contribute to a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility, posing a risk to public safety, especially on highways and in open areas. The center stressed the importance of adhering to the instructions of the relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, and following the continuous updates of weather information through official channels.

The climatic context of sandstorms in the Kingdom

Sand and dust storms are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, given its geography, which consists mostly of vast deserts such as the Rub' al Khali and the Nafud al Kabir. These storms are particularly active during seasonal transitions, when conditions are favorable, including strong winds and dry topsoil. While these phenomena play a role in the desert ecosystem, they also pose significant challenges to daily life and infrastructure.

Expected effects and safety guidelines

The sandstorm is expected to have multiple impacts, most notably on the health and transportation sectors. In terms of health, asthma, respiratory, and allergy sufferers are advised to avoid leaving their homes except when absolutely necessary, to keep windows tightly closed, and to wear protective masks if they must go out. Regarding transportation, air traffic at the major airports in Riyadh and Dammam may be affected, with the possibility of some flights being delayed or canceled. The risk of traffic accidents on roads also increases due to reduced visibility, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speed.

Other alerts in various areas

In addition to the sandstorm warning, the National Center for Meteorology also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the coming hours in parts of the Makkah, Al-Jawf, Madinah, Northern Borders and Asir regions, which may also lead to a decrease in horizontal visibility in those areas and requires caution while driving in the early morning.