First-ever snowfall in Saudi Arabia’s desert | Pictures and videos inside Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region has just experienced its first-ever snowfall, transforming the arid landscape into a surprise winter wonderland. With snowflakes covering sand dunes, social media has been flooded with jaw-dropping photos of this rare phenomenon, perhaps converting some climate change deniers. Profile image By Anand Singha
November 7, 2024, 6:45:40 PM IST (Updated) 2 Min Read First-ever snowfall in Saudi Arabia’s desert | Pictures and videos inside Who says you can't have a white Christmas in the desert? Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region has just experienced its first-ever recorded snowfall, turning the arid desert into an unexpected winter wonderland. Forget palm trees and sand dunes — snowflakes were the hot topic this week in the desert.

This historic snowstorm was no ordinary dusting. It followed a furious wave of rain and hailstorms that barrelled through the kingdom, blanketing the mountainous areas in snow. The once-dry desert landscape now looks more like the Swiss Alps (if the Alps had a desert twist).

For the first time in history, social media exploded with photos and videos of snow-covered sands, offering a contrast to the usual golden hues of the desert.

????❄️ Saudi Arabian desert covered in snow

This is the first time in history that the desert has been covered in snow, as temperatures there rarely drop to such levels.

A severe hail storm also raged there recently. pic.twitter.com/4wjSaaRMfo

— Nurlan Mededov (@mededov_nurlan) November 3, 2024

What caused this bizarre meteorological marvel? Blame it on a low-pressure system brewing in the Arabian Sea, according to the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). This system brought in a wave of moisture-laden air that collided with the desert heat, producing thunder, hail, and, apparently, snow.

Northern Saudi Arabia: Snow blankets the desert after heavy rains and hail. Just yesterday, winter transformed the mountainous landscape.????????

????Yes, this is normal. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have well-known weather modification programs. pic.twitter.com/ZoFQ3Gav92

— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) November 3, 2024

As for the aftermath, Saudi Arabia's weather department is advising residents to prepare for more thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds in the coming days. No one’s dusting off their snow boots just yet—there’s still a good chance of thunderstorms, hail showers, and some seriously strong winds, which could reduce visibility and disrupt travel. So, while the snow was a welcome surprise, locals are urged to stay on high alert for more unusual weather.

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For now, Al-Jawf is basking in the rarest of sights — desert snow. The only thing more surprising than the snowfall itself? The fact that the desert may not be done with its winter wonderland act just yet.