 "First time in history: How did a Saudi Arabian desert see snowfall?")
What’s the last thing you would expect to find in a desert?
Lashing rains? A chilly climate? Wintery snow?
Surprisingly, all of these are true for a desert in Saudi Arabia, which has recently morphed into a stunning winter wonderland.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, heavy rains and significant hail have swept across parts of the Kingdom’s Al-Jawf region. Now, a chilly spell of snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas, creating a visual spectacle never seen before in the arid landscape.
So, how did it snow in a desert? What triggered this unexpected weather phenomenon? Let’s take a closer look.
From sand dunes to snow capes
Saudi Arabia has been experiencing an unusual bout of weather since last week.
Last Wednesday, heavy rains accompanied by large amounts of hail swept across parts of the Kingdom’s Al-Jawf region followed by the northern borders, Riyadh, and the Mecca region. The strange weather has also affected Asir, Tabuk, and Al Bahah sections, according to Watchers.news.
On Monday, snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas of Al-Jawf, surprising the locals and drawing a range of reactions (and stunning pictures) on social media.
The visuals show some hailstones accumulating to cover roads and valleys. Some users even claimed the storm has produced waterfalls, and ice rivers in the region.
🇸🇦 Suudi Arabistan’ın çöllük Al-Jawf bölgesinde kar ❄️ ve tipi.pic.twitter.com/to6Sl3jIs7
— Dr. Ali Demirdas (@DrDemirdasEn) November 3, 2024
Northern Saudi Arabia: Snow blankets the desert after heavy rains and hail. Just yesterday, winter transformed the mountainous landscape.🇸🇦
— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) November 3, 2024
🤡Yes, this is normal. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have well-known weather modification programs. pic.twitter.com/ZoFQ3Gav92
Northern Saudi Arabia: Snow blankets the desert after heavy rains and hail. Just yesterday, winter transformed the mountainous landscape.🇸🇦
— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) November 3, 2024
🤡Yes, this is normal. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have well-known weather modification programs. pic.twitter.com/ZoFQ3Gav92
For the first Time in history, snow has fallen in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia. A heavy snowfall occurred in the northern region of Al-Jawf. This is reported by the publication Khaleej Times.#saudiflood #saudisnow #forthefirsttimesnowinsaudidesert pic.twitter.com/G9ElNgpkfu
— Kamran (@Kamran_khan_3) November 5, 2024
Why did it snow?
The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said the reason for these unusual hailstorms is a low-pressure system spreading from the Arabian Sea to Oman.
This weather pattern has introduced moisture-laden air into an area typically characterised by dryness, leading to thunderstorms, hail, and rainfall across Saudi Arabia and neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Khaleej Times, the NCM has issued warnings regarding potential thunderstorms in most parts of Al-Jawf over the coming days.
The forecast includes expectations of further heavy rain and hail, which could impair visibility. Additionally, strong winds are anticipated to accompany these storms.
In light of these developments, the Kingdom’s Directorate-General of Civil Defense (DGCD) and the NCM have advised residents to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Also read: In less than 100 years, Persian Gulf could be fatally hot for humans
Is snow the new normal in deserts?
Snowfall in Saudi Arabia is rare but not entirely unheard of.
A few years ago, a town in the Sahara desert, known for its blistering temperatures that often surpass 58 degrees Celsius, saw a dramatic drop to -2 degrees Celsius, resulting in an unexpected snowfall.
This phenomenon is often attributed to the broader impacts of climate change. According to the World Bank, West Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate-related impacts. Projections indicate rising average temperatures, which could lead to increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns.
Experts also suggest that such unusual weather events, including snowfall in deserts, are becoming more frequent due to changing atmospheric conditions driven by global climate change.
Earlier this year, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, grappled with severe flooding after an unprecedented spell of heavy rainfall. Visuals showed cars being swept away by powerful floodwaters. This event came shortly after similar flooding incidents in Dubai.
As these anomalies become more common, Gulf countries must develop and implement stronger policies and strategies to cope with and mitigate the effects of these climate extremes.
With input from agencies
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