Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a surprising twist for a nation synonymous with scorching desert landscapes, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the Gulf region's most vulnerable country to snowfall. A recent report by Arabia Weather highlights that the Kingdom experiences more frequent snowfall in key areas such as Al Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Tabuk compared to its Gulf neighbors, driven by polar depressions and extreme cold air masses that cause temperatures to plummet to zero degrees Celsius. Historically, the arid climate of Saudi Arabia, where temperatures can soar above 50 degrees Celsius, seems incompatible with snowfall. However, the report underscores that under certain weather conditions, these northern regions of the Kingdom can witness snow accumulation similar to that seen in the Levant.
The phenomenon is not entirely unprecedented in the Gulf. In February 2017, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced an unusual weather event when a low-pressure system combined with a cold air mass brought heavy rains and even snow to Ras Al Khaimah, where some areas reported snowfalls exceeding 15 centimeters. Likewise, Oman’s Jebel Shams, the highest peak in the country, was transformed into a winter wonderland with heavy snowfall in January 2023, as temperatures dipped below freezing. Kuwait also had its moment of winter astonishment in January 2016, witnessing its first snowfall in years when light snow blanketed the Salmiya area, delighting residents who had never seen snow before.
Experts indicate that snowfall in Gulf countries, particularly in northern Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman, is not an annual event but can materialize under specific atmospheric conditions, often influenced by cold air depressions. As climate patterns shift, the potential for unusual weather phenomena in the region may become more prevalent, challenging long-held perceptions of the Middle Eastern climate. As Saudi Arabia embraces this unexpected aspect of its weather, residents and tourists alike may find themselves captivated by the rare sight of snow against the backdrop of the Kingdom's iconic deserts.
