RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region is experiencing a cold snap, with the mercury plummeting below zero in cities in the region.

“Turaif Governorate in the Northern Borders Region recorded the lowest temperature in the Kingdom today, plunging to -3°C,” the National Center for Meteorology reported on Wednesday.

Frost blanketed the area on Wednesday morning, highlighting the intensity of the winter cold spell affecting the region.

“By recording -3 degrees, Al-Turaif Governorate records the lowest temperature in the Kingdom,” the Northern Borders Region Governorate said, taking to X to share photos of frost blanketing the area.

Local authorities have urged residents to be vigilant, take precautions and follow the instructions and weather updates from the authorities.

Muhammed Yousuf, a Northern Border Region resident, told Arab News: "The NCM had forecast the cold wave over the Northern region until the end of the week, so we were alert and took all the precautions.

“As frost blanketed the Turaif governorate, people ventured out to see the beautiful white blanket spreading over the vast plains and mountains, enjoying the icy breeze in heavy winter clothes,” he added.  

The NCM forecast had previously warned of the cold wave in Turaif and Northern Borders Region, advising residents to take precautions because of the sharp drop in temperatures.

The NCM forecast on Wednesday further said that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over some regions of the Kingdom starting from Friday, and continuing until next Sunday, accompanied by high winds that may reach speeds of 60 kph or more, and hailstorms and flash floods in some areas. Fog will form in Jazan and Aseer regions.

It also forecast cold to very cold weather in Tabuk, Al-Jouf, and Hail regions. Frost will continue to form in the northern regions, while temperatures will drop, accompanied by gusty and dust-stirring winds in parts of Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern, and Najran regions, extending to the eastern parts of the southwestern highlands, as well as parts of Makkah and Madinah regions.

The minimum temperatures recorded on Wednesday in various cities in the northern region were: Turaif (-3°C), Al Qurayat (-2°C), Arar (-1°C), Sakaka (1°C), Hail (2°C) and Tabuk (3°C).