For the first time in 30 years, snow has blanketed large areas of desert in Saudi Arabia, leaving residents both astonished and excited.
A cold air mass accompanied by rain and strong winds caused snow to begin falling in several northern regions of Saudi Arabia last week. So far, snow has covered desert areas near Tabuk, including Jabal Al Lawz and the Trojena plateau at an altitude of around 2,600 meters, as temperatures dropped to approximately minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological experts said the snowfall is linked to a deep low-pressure system sweeping across many parts of the Middle East, bringing heavy rain, cold winds, and unusually rare snowfall.
Cold conditions in the region are expected to persist in the coming days. Gulf Today reported that this marks the first time in 30 years that snow has blanketed northern Saudi Arabia.
(Camels amid snowfall in northern Saudi Arabia. Photo: Gulf Today)
Astronomer Mohammed bin Reddah Al Thaqafi said that snow occasionally appears during winter in Saudi Arabia, but it does not follow a regular cycle. This year’s snowfall largely depends on fluctuations in climatic and atmospheric conditions.
Saudi Arabia also experienced extreme weather conditions last week, as Dubai was hit by heavy rainfall that flooded many roads and forced numerous agencies and offices to allow employees to work from home.
Gulf Today, Gulf News, AI Jazeera