From Scorching Sand To Winter Wonderland: What Caused Sudden Snow In Saudi Arabia?

A country globally associated with searing heat and vast deserts has witnessed a startling reversal in weather. Several regions of Saudi Arabia have experienced snowfall, heavy rain and near-freezing temperatures, leaving residents and experts alike searching for answers to an extraordinary meteorological event. (News18 Hindi)

Snowfall was reported in the mountainous areas of the northern Tabuk region, where landscapes usually marked by rocky terrain and arid conditions were blanketed in white. Trojena, a high-altitude tourist destination located in Jebel Al-Lawz at around 2,600 metres above sea level, saw light snow and rain, turning the area into an unlikely winter spectacle. (News18 Hindi)

Unusual wintry conditions were also recorded across parts of the Hail region, including areas around Hail city, where snowfall is considered extremely rare. In some locations, early morning temperatures dipped below zero degrees Celsius, creating freezing conditions in elevated zones. (News18 Hindi)

According to the Center for Meteorology (NCM), snowfall and icy conditions were additionally observed in Al-Majma'ah and Al-Ghat, regions north of Riyadh, with open fields and high ground covered in snow. The NCM attributed the sudden cold spell to the interaction between cold air masses sweeping into central and northern Saudi Arabia and moisture-laden rain clouds. (News18 Hindi)

Hussein Al-Qahtani, official spokesperson for the NCM, said temperatures are expected to remain low over the next few days, particularly in northern and central regions. Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to exercise caution, avoid waterlogged areas and drive carefully amid the changing conditions. As a precaution, schools in Riyadh were temporarily shifted to online classes. (News18 Hindi)

Meanwhile, images and videos of snow-covered mountains and frozen terrain have gone viral on social media, drawing crowds eager to witness the rare phenomenon firsthand. (News18 Hindi)

While meteorologists point to specific atmospheric dynamics behind this event, the growing frequency of such anomalies has intensified concerns about climate change. From winter rains in the UAE and flash floods in traditionally dry Middle Eastern regions to record heat in South Asia and unseasonal snowfall in parts of Europe and North Africa, scientists warn that global weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable. (News18 Hindi)

Saudi Arabia’s sudden brush with winter, experts say, is another reminder that even the world’s hottest landscapes are no longer immune to dramatic climatic shifts. (News18 Hindi)