RIYADH: A sandstorm engulfed parts of the Kingdom on Thursday, enveloping the skyline with dust and hampering visibility in some cities in the Eastern Province.
The General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection has forecast more such storms and low visibility between Wednesday and Saturday across the Kingdom, as well as light to moderate rain and snowfall to the north, which will lead to a substantial drop in temperatures in places, including Riyadh.
According to forecasts, mercury levels could drop as low as -3 degrees Celsius.
Low visibility was forecast on Thursday and Friday for cities in the Riyadh region, including Al-Kharj, Shaqra, Zulfi, Dawadmi, Afif, Aflaj and Wadi Al-Dawasir.
High speed wind and dust are predicted during the day time.
According to the forecast for Riyadh, especially areas north of the city, mercury levels will drop on Friday and Saturday, while wind speed reached up to 27 km/h in the capital on Thursday.
Residents in the Eastern Province, Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim and Najran also experienced dusty weather.
Amid volatile weather conditions, the Civil Defense has advised motorists to slow down due to continued low visibility.
In other news, residents across parts of the Kingdom will be able to view a partial lunar eclipse just before dawn on Monday.
The eclipse will be 90 percent visible in Tabuk, half visible in Madinah, a third visible in Makkah and only marginally visible in Riyadh
