Riyadh: For the first time in recorded history, Saudi Arabia’s dry desert landscape was covered in snow, with the Al-Jouf region experiencing snowfall that turned it into a winter wonderland.
This rare event is especially surprising given the region’s typical extreme heat, with temperatures often exceeding 50°C. According to the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology, the snowfall was caused by a low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea, which led to a sudden drop in temperature.
Snowfall in the Arabian Peninsula is a rare phenomenon, though northern regions like Al-Jouf, Tabuk, and the Northern Borders occasionally experience it. This is primarily due to polar depressions and cold air masses that cause temperatures to plummet to freezing levels, leading to snow accumulation, similar to the Levant.
The snowfall has also brought thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, adding to the region’s unusual winter-like conditions.
While snow in the Gulf is uncommon, it can occur in certain years, depending on weather patterns and cold air depressions. Notable occurrences include the 2017 snowfall in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, where some areas saw up to 15 cm of snow, and Oman’s Jebel Shams, which experienced heavy snow in January 2023. Additionally, Kuwait saw its first snowfall in years in January 2016, surprising many of its residents.
The recent snowfall in Saudi Arabia serves as a reminder of the region’s unpredictable weather patterns, as nature continues to surprise even in the most unlikely of places.
