Barran Press
On December 16, 2024, the Meteorological and Early Warning Center of the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology issued a warning about a severe cold wave affecting several provinces in Yemen.
In a four-day alert, monitored by Barran Press, the center predicted significant cooling and a noticeable drop in temperatures, with conditions expected to become extremely cold and frost likely to form. The perceived temperatures in provinces such as Dhamar, Sana’a, Amran, Al-Bayda, and Saada could fall below 0°C.
The center indicated that temperatures may dip below 5°C in parts of the deserts and highlands of the provinces of Al-Mahra, Hadramout, and Shabwa. Cold to very cold weather is anticipated across other regions, particularly during the night and early morning hours.
Direct effects from a cold northern air mass began to manifest in the Yemeni desert areas on the morning of December 16. Weather expert Khaled Al-Shatah noted on Facebook that the cold polar air mass started impacting the desert regions and southern highlands of Al-Mahra, Hadramout, Shabwa, Marib, and Al-Jawf, as well as most western highlands.
Al-Shatah predicted that the peak impact of the cold air mass would begin on the evening of December 17, with a forecasted temperature drop of up to 5 degrees Celsius compared to current levels.
Widespread areas are expected to experience temperatures falling below freezing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a possibility of frost formation.
The National Center for Meteorology and Early Warning also forecasted extremely cold weather in the mountainous provinces of Al-Bayda, Dhamar, Sana’a, Amran, and Saada, as well as the western highlands of Al-Jawf, southern and western Marib, Ibb, Al-Dhale, Lahij, Abyan, Shabwa, Hadramout, and Al-Mahra.
The minimum temperature was expected to reach 0°C in Sana’a, Dhamar, Al-Bayda, and Amran, with 1°C in Saada. The center did not rule out the possibility of frost in these areas.
Cold weather is also anticipated in the highlands of Hajjah, Al-Mahwit, Raymah, and Taiz. Coastal regions are expected to be partially cloudy with light rain possible in parts of the Socotra Archipelago and southern coasts, alongside winds reaching a maximum speed of 26 knots in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.
The center strongly warned citizens in mountainous areas, highlands, and deserts about the cold and severe cold conditions during the night and early morning. Farmers were advised to take necessary precautions to protect their crops from frost, while livestock, beekeepers, and poultry raisers were urged to safeguard their animals from the harsh cold.