JEDDAH – The Presidency for Meteorology and the Environment (PME) has forecast a severe cold wave in northern Saudi Arabia beginning Thursday.



A PME bulletin said temperatures in the region stretching from Tabuk in the northwest to the central provinces of Hail and Qassim would drop below zero degrees Celsius. The Northern Border Province as well as Al-Jouf in the far north would be severely affected.



It said the cold mass would be accompanied by strong winds, snowfall in the Tabuk highlands and scattered rain.



The cold snap will grip Riyadh and Eastern Province from Saturday and will then move to the southern provinces, the PME said, adding that Makkah and Madinah provinces would also be affected.



Rain is expected in Al-Baha and the coastal areas of Asir and Jazan provinces. There will be heavy fog in the highlands, bringing down visibility.



The Civil Defense has asked citizens and expatriates to strictly abide by safety directives. – SG/SPA