First recorded snow turns Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nafūd desert into winter wonderland

On By Littum

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nafūd desert has experienced an unprecedented weather event, transforming its hot sand dunes into a winter wonderland. For the first time in recorded history, snow covered parts of the Al-Jawf region in the northern Al-Nafūd desert, stunning residents and experts alike. An unprecedented storm brought hail and snow to the area, covering the desert and creating breathtaking images that circulated worldwide on social media.

The unusual meteorological phenomenon was driven by a low-pressure system that formed in the Arabian Sea, causing heavy rain and hailstorms over parts of Saudi Arabia and the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Meteorologists have linked the unusual weather to this low pressure system that moved from the Arabian Sea to Oman. This system brought air containing water vapor which, when combined with the intense desert heat, triggered thunderstorms, hail and even snow.

After the heavy rains, Al-Jawf was covered in hail, leaving the desert landscape with a white cloak. The desert, accustomed to high temperatures, transformed into a white and cold landscape, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike. Residents and tourists quickly went to the desert to witness and document this unique event. Viral photos and videos on social media have caused a stir, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide and prompting netizens to wonder why the normally warm region is covered in snow after heavy rains.

Footage and images of snowflakes falling across the desert and settling on the sand have circulated widely on social media. In one clip, a caravan of camels is seen walking across a thin layer of ice that has formed on the ground. Pictures taken on November 2 and released by the Saudi press office show large stretches of sand covered in a white layer. Social media has become a “visual diary” of this unprecedented phenomenon, filled with content that captures its beauty and sparks discussions about climate change and its implications.

Experts believe that the moisture from the low pressure system clashed with the desert heat and triggered the rain and snow as intense downpours and a hailstorm created the necessary conditions for this unusual streak of snowfall. The collision of temperatures resulted in rain and the unexpected fall of snow. The combination of low temperatures and high humidity, induced by the low pressure system, facilitated snowfall, something extremely rare in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Climatologists suggest that such atypical weather events, including the recent snowfall, may increase in frequency due to changing atmospheric conditions associated with global climate change. This unexpected snowfall reflects climate change that may make such phenomena more and more common in arid regions. The event emphasizes how, in connection with climate change, normally arid areas such as Al-Jawf may experience previously unseen weather conditions with profound and surprising impacts on the environment.

Despite the visual similarity, experts noted that the white covering in the Al-Nafūd desert was not snow, but a layer of hail, creating an unusual scenario in the arid landscape. Others pointed out that it was technically hail, not snow, but at first glance the accumulation of hail could easily be mistaken for snow, as the hailstones almost resemble snow, creating a surprising scene in the desert. Prolonged rainfall, accompanied by hail, contributed to the creation of this unusual panorama in the Al-Nafūd desert.

In addition to changing the landscape of Al-Jawf, the snowfall had effects on the area’s aquifers. The Saudi Press Agency revealed that the unusual weather has not only changed the topography but also given new life to rivers and waterfalls in Saudi Arabia. Heavy rains have flooded land and valleys in the Al-Jawf region, where many waterfalls have started flowing as a result of recent weather events.

The Saudi Weather Department and local media have issued notices warning residents to prepare for extreme weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hail and strong winds in the coming days. Meteorologists predict the unusual weather conditions could affect people’s daily lives and road visibility, with more intense rain, hail and strong winds expected in desert areas. The local authorities estimate that low temperatures will be generated and maintained for a period in the coming days. The National Center for Meteorology of the United Arab Emirates assured that the phenomenon could temporarily change the climatic conditions, with low temperatures expected to continue in the coming days.

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Residents are advised to exercise caution and prepare for disruptions to daily activities due to the unusual weather and prolonged adverse conditions. Officials have urged residents to take necessary precautions due to the unusual weather and climatic conditions, as the storms could disrupt travel and affect daily life. Meteorologists have advised citizens to take precautions and be prepared for this surprisingly cold season.

In this context, specialists have begun to discuss the long-term consequences of these changes and emphasize how this event could only be an indicator of future climate challenges for the Middle East and other arid regions of the world. This rare meteorological event provides a fascinating insight into climatic anomalies and the potential impact of atmospheric changes in normally inhospitable regions as it has transformed the landscape and created widespread disruption. The event emphasizes the importance of observing the climate change that affects even the deserts of the world.

Some social media users expressed shock and amazement at the snowfall in the Al-Jawf desert, with some calling it a sign of doomsday and others discussing climate change as a suspected cause. The event has generated massive interest on social media, with residents and tourists documenting the unique incident and sharing shocking photos and videos of a snow-covered desert. Social networks were flooded with photos and videos of the snow-covered dunes, with people showing off the huge hailstones and sharing the moment in real time.

In summer, temperatures in the Al-Nafūd desert can easily exceed 50°C, making the images of hail even more surprising. The area’s typical temperatures in early November average 17 degrees Celsius, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius and lows of 11 degrees Celsius. This drastic change in conditions is a rare meteorological anomaly for the region. The event has left a strong impression in Saudi Arabia, where winter temperatures rarely fall to these levels.

According to specialists, when a lot of moist air meets the cold air in the desert, a climatic disturbance occurs that can lead to extreme phenomena. Meteorologists stress that further studies are needed to fully understand the causes of this event. The unexpected snowfall in Al-Jawf has prompted local authorities to issue extreme weather alerts.

Sources: Milenio, Liputan 6, Newsweek, Infobae, Exclsior, Scienze Notizie, El Confidencial

This article was written in collaboration with the generative AI company Alchemiq