The Siberian high controls the eastern Mediterranean and imposes unusual weather conditions at this time in the coming days

Arab Weather - The Levant, Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia will be affected in the coming days, especially from Monday/Tuesday night, by the extension of the so-called Siberian high, where the recorded and tangible temperatures (which the human body feels) will drop during the day, and remarkably cold weather will prevail in all regions.

Widespread frost Monday night/Tuesday and Tuesday morning

Due to the significant drop in temperatures in all regions of the Levant, northern Saudi Arabia and Iraq, very cold weather will prevail at night, and frost is expected to form in large areas, especially in the Levant desert and the plain areas, as initial readings indicate that temperatures in those areas will drop to zero degrees Celsius.

Cold, active northwesterly winds accompanied by strong gusts in some areas

The Siberian high is accompanied by active, cold, dry northwesterly winds, accompanied by strong gusts on the mountainous heights and plain areas, due to the geographical nature of those areas.

Unusual weather at this time, accompanied by the effects of the Siberian high

In this context, the weather forecast for the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia is currently considered “unusual” because it is characterised by unusual weather conditions for this time of year. Cold air masses of polar origin usually begin to affect the region later in the year, not in late autumn as is the case now.

Reasons why the weather is considered unusual:

Polar air masses usually start arriving in the region later, but this year the region was affected by these air masses very early in the fall before the onset of winter, causing a sharp drop in temperatures.

The Siberian High is usually influential in winter, but this year, its influence has started early. This high produces very cold and dry air, which is one of the reasons for the severe cold feeling.

What is the Siberian High?

It is called the Siberian High or the Asian High, and it is a high-altitude air pressure center that originates and expands over Siberia, at a latitude of 45 degrees in the northeastern part of Asia. The influence of this Siberian High extends up to 2400 meters. The Siberian High is centered in some periods over Turkey and extends to Iraq, and thus its effects extend to the Kingdom and the Levant. This high pressure is formed as a result of severe surface cooling and dry air, because its source is continental, i.e. far from marine influences.

The Siberian High is one of the strongest and most intense highs in the world, with atmospheric pressure at its center reaching 1083 millibars. It is worth noting that cold, dry air is heavy, so the surface atmospheric pressure rises despite the extreme cold. The word "high" is not related to high temperatures, but rather to high atmospheric pressure.

And God knows best.