Latest news with #AbdullahAlMisnad
Gulf Insider
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Massive Dust Storm Hits Saudi Arabia, Kuwait And Jordan, Triggering Travel Chaos And Flash Floods
A powerful dust storm has blanketed large parts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, triggering travel disruptions, flash floods and emergency evacuations. Authorities in all three countries have issued red alerts and warned of further weather instability in the coming days. Saudi Arabia In central Saudi Arabia, residents of Al Qassim province witnessed a rare and dramatic phenomenon described as a 'wall of dust' that swept through the region on Sunday, reducing visibility to near zero and prompting widespread safety warnings. Videos shared on social media showed the sky turning orange as the storm surged forward like a towering wave, blocking out sunlight. Meteorologist Abdullah Al Misnad, a former professor at Qassim University, attributed the event to powerful downdrafts from cumulonimbus clouds — scientifically classified as gravity-driven haboobs — which generate intense, fast-moving dust walls. These walls, he noted, can reach heights of up to 2,000 meters and wind speeds of 100 km/h, posing major hazards to both air and land transportation. The National Center for Meteorology issued red alerts across five regions, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province, warning of continued dust storms, heavy rainfall, hail, and potential flooding. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas, and limit travel, especially on highways and exposed roads. Kuwait Kuwait was battered by violent winds and thick dust clouds, leading aviation and maritime authorities to temporarily suspend operations. Wind gusts topping 100 km/h reduced visibility in some areas to zero. Two inbound flights from Egypt were diverted to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while the Kuwait Ports Authority halted activity at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports to safeguard workers and infrastructure. Operations resumed Monday morning as weather conditions improved. Kuwait's acting Director of the Meteorological Department, Dharar Al Ali, warned that the country is currently in the 'Sarayat' period—a volatile seasonal transition known for rapid atmospheric shifts, thunderstorms, and heavy dust. Satellite data indicated intense regional activity, with scattered rain forecast through midweek. The Interior Ministry issued public safety alerts, urging drivers to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, and pull over if visibility drops to zero. Jordan In Jordan, the storm system unleashed erratic and hazardous weather across several regions, with rain, thunderstorms, and dust severely reducing visibility and causing flash floods in low-lying areas. In Petra, one of Jordan's most visited tourist attractions, authorities evacuated hundreds of visitors on Sunday after flash floods inundated parts of the archaeological site. More than 1,700 tourists were present when Civil Defense teams implemented emergency protocols. Ticket sales were suspended at midday, and key landmarks — including Al Khazneh, the Siq, and the Monastery—were cleared as water levels rose rapidly. Tragically, the flooding claimed the lives of a Belgian woman and her son, who were part of an adventure tour in Wadi Al Nakhil near Ma'an. Two of her children survived. Jordan's Public Security Directorate said search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate missing persons, with additional incidents reported in Tafileh and Al Hasa involving stranded tourists and livestock herders. 'We evacuated most of the tourists without injuries,' said Yazan Mahadin, Commissioner of Petra Archaeological Park. 'Safety is our top priority.'
Gulf Insider
24-02-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Faces Cold Wave as Temperatures Drop Below Zero
Saudi Arabia is bracing for a mid-level cold wave starting today (Monday), with temperatures expected to plunge below freezing in parts of the northern and central regions. According to the Saudi Weather and Climate Association, the cold spell will sweep across northern and northeastern Saudi Arabia, affecting parts of the central region from Monday to Wednesday. During this period, early morning temperatures could fall below zero degrees Celsius in the north and hover between zero and four degrees in parts of central Saudi Arabia, leading to frost formation and water freezing, particularly in unpopulated areas. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast a sharp temperature drop across northern Saudi Arabia, accompanied by frost and fog overnight and in the early morning hours. Strong surface winds, kicking up dust and sand, are expected across parts of Tabuk, Medina, and Mecca's coastal areas, as well as the Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Najran, extending to the eastern highlands of Asir and Al Baha. Climatologists have identified this wave as 'Bard Al Ajooz' (the Old Woman's Cold), a well-known late-season cold front that typically arrives before spring. According to Dr. Abdullah Al Misnad, a climate professor, the cold front began pushing into northern Saudi Arabia on Friday and will gradually expand southward, eastward, and westward, reaching Riyadh by Sunday. Strongest impact 'The peak of the cold wave will vary by region,' Al Misnad wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'It will hit the north on Monday and Tuesday, move into central areas on Tuesday and Wednesday, and peak in Medina on Tuesday. The Eastern Province and Najran will feel its strongest impact on Wednesday.' The southwestern quarter of Saudi Arabia is expected to experience a less severe impact from the cold snap. While temperatures are expected to gradually rise as Ramadan approaches, Al Misnad warned that subzero temperatures could persist for five consecutive days in the northern regions. He also noted that the snow line may drop to 800 meters above sea level in the far north, particularly during the early hours of Monday and Tuesday.
