Why Is It Snowing In Saudi Arabia Deserts?
Saudi Arabia has seen an unusual winter episode, with snowfall, heavy rain, and sharply falling temperatures sweeping across large parts of the country, leaving residents both excited and cautious. The surprising snowfall was reported in northern Saudi Arabia in the mountain ranges in Tabuk Province.
Parts of the Hail Region, including areas around Hail city, also witnessed snowfall.
As per the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), snowfall was also observed in Al-Majmaah and Al-Ghat, north of Riyadh.
Temperatures dipped below 0 degrees at some locations during the early morning hours, creating favourable conditions for snow accumulation across higher ground.
The cold wave was accompanied by widespread rainfall across several regions. Light to moderate rain was recorded in several places, including Bir Bin Hermas, Al-Ayinah, Ammar, AlUla Governorate, Shaqra and its suburbs, while moderate to heavy rainfall affected Riyadh, Qassim, and parts of the Eastern region.
Why is it happening?
As per the NCM’s official, the snowfall conditions were driven by a cold air mass pushing into central and northern regions, interacting with rain-bearing clouds.
While meteorologists connect such events with the specific atmospheric conditions, the growing frequency of such anomalies continues to raise questions about how climate change is reshaping familiar weather patterns, even in regions long defined by heat and drought.
Moreover, the temperatures were expected to remain low in parts of the north and centre.
Authorities have urged residents to drive carefully and avoid valleys prone to flooding. Also, all schools in the capital have been shifted to remote learning as a precautionary measure.
