RIYADH — The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) warned of dust storms and strong winds affecting five regions, with Qassim experiencing the worst conditions among 17 governorates. The center cautioned that the Qassim region will be impacted by blowing dust, accompanied by strong winds and a reduction in horizontal visibility of 3-5 kilometers in the city of Buraidah and the governorates of Unaizah, Al-Rass, Al-Mudhnib, Al- Nabhaniyah, Riyadh Al-Khobra, Diriyah, Uqlat Al-Suqur, Uyun Al-Jawaa, Abanat, Al-Asyah, Al-Badai, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Shamasiyah, Al-Thamiriyah Center, Al-Khobra, Al-Ammar, and Al-Fawarah. Strong winds are also expected in the Hail region, affecting open areas and highways, leading to reduced horizontal visibility and wind speeds reaching 40-49 km/h. In Al-Baha, rain is expected, accompanied by active winds, reduced horizontal visibility, and thunderstorms, affecting Al-Baha city, Al-Makhwah, Qalwah, Al-Hajrah, Ghamid Al-Zanad, and surrounding areas. In its comprehensive report issued on Tuesday, the NCM predicted that active winds stirring up dust and sand would continue to affect parts of Najran, Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and the Northern Borders regions. Light rain is also expected in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and the highlands of Makkah, with a chance of fog formation in some of these areas, as well as along the coastal areas of the Eastern Province. The NCM indicated that surface winds on the Red Sea are northwesterly to northeasterly in the northern and central parts at a speed of 10-30 km/h, and southeasterly to easterly in the southern part at a speed of 12-38 km/h, reaching 50 km/h towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Wave height ranges from half a meter to one and a half meters, reaching two and a half meters.