SHORT TAKES : Network Adds Saudi Weather

ATLANTA — To satisfy surging interest in Saudi Arabian weather among family and friends of American soldiers, the Weather Channel cable network has added a focus report on the region to its regular coverage, a network official said. Reports on Persian Gulf weather will be given twice each hour.

“These are tense times, and there’s a lack of hard news coming out of the region. Providing a weather report obviously helps families and the nation as a whole feel closer to the men and women serving overseas,” said Stan Hunter, vice president of programming. He said the reports will continue indefinitely.