Saudi Arabian desert gets first snowfall ever

Saudi Arabia’s normally sun-baked deserts have been transformed into an unexpected winter scene in recent days as snow blanketed parts of the Al-Jawf region in the northern Al-Nafūd desert.

The rare event marks the first snowfall ever recorded in the region, an area traditionally known for its scorching heat and golden sand dunes.

Footage shows snowflakes falling across the desert and settling on the sand. In one clip, a caravan of camels is seen walking across a thin layer of ice that has formed on the ground.

Locals and tourists were quick to get out of their cars and capture photos and videos of the unprecedented weather.

Why does it snow in Saudi Arabia?

Temperatures in the Al-Nafūd desert can rise as high as 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer months, making this drastic change in conditions a rare meteorological anomaly.

The area’s typical temperatures in early November average 17C with highs of 23C and lows of 11C.

Thanks to its dry desert climate, the area receives an average of just 0.48 inches of rainfall for the month.

The snowfall follows a series of severe weather events that started last Wednesday that swept through the Al-Jawf region, including heavy rain and hailstorms that brought an unexpected layer of ice and snow to the parched mountains, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

How do meteorologists explain the snow?

Meteorologists have linked the unusual weather to a low-pressure system that moved from the Arabian Sea to Oman, bringing moisture-laden air into the typically dry region.

It caused thunderstorms, hail and rain in parts of Saudi Arabia and the neighboring country United Arab Emirates, causing widespread disruption and transforming the landscape.

The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology explained that the movement of the low pressure system triggered a sharp shift in the weather pattern, resulting in the region’s rare winter-like conditions.

The Saudi Ministry of Weather has issued warnings of continued severe weather in the coming days. Forecasts predict further thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and strong winds. Officials are urging residents to exercise caution and prepare for disruptions to daily activities.

While snowfall in Saudi Arabia is exceptionally rare, it is not without precedent in desert regions globally.

Climatologists suggest that such atypical weather events may increase in frequency due to changing atmospheric conditions associated with global climate change.

Earlier this week, South Africa, currently in spring, saw snow in November for the first time in 85 years and six feet of new snow in September.