Jeddah: The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) launched its second Climate Impact Workshop today at its headquarters in Jeddah. The workshop was attended by NCM's CEO Dr. Ayman Ghulam and representatives of 48 government and field agencies involved in Hajj activities. It aimed to enhance joint coordination and readiness for the 1446 AH Hajj season.
According to Saudi Press Agency, in his opening remarks, Dr. Ghulam emphasized the importance of early preparation for Hajj, noting that the NCM has intensified its efforts by supporting the monitoring system in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites, and by providing accurate meteorological services to ensure the safety of pilgrims. He stated that the NCM's weather coverage of the Holy Sites has reached 100% through a network of stations, radars, and advanced technologies, backed by specialized field teams.
The workshop featured expert presentations, including climate forecasts for the Holy Sites, results from a heat stress study during last year's Hajj, and the Climate Change Center's long-term outlook for Hajj seasons through 1471 AH. The role of the cloud seeding program in enhancing the regional climate environment was also discussed.
Additional topics included the operational readiness of the monitoring network and emergency systems, mechanisms for severe weather response, and an overview of the NCM's digital platform, flash flood forecasting tools, and the services provided to both public and private sectors.
A dedicated presentation addressed the NCM's media and awareness strategy during Hajj, highlighting more than 14 targeted services designed for pilgrims. The workshop also stressed the importance of unified messaging and the role of the NCM as the official source for climate and weather information.
This workshop is part of the NCM's ongoing efforts to support the Hajj system with reliable climate data and foster the highest levels of coordination among all relevant entities, contributing to a safe and stable pilgrimage season in alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.