Saudi Arabia’s deserts are usually known for their scorching sun and golden sand dunes. However, in a surprising turn of events, the northern region of the Al-Nafūd desert in Al-Jawf area has been partially covered in snow in recent days, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. Observers noted that nature has taken on a different hue.
This marks the first recorded snowfall in the region’s history. What began as rain last Wednesday eventually turned into hail, blanketing the typically arid mountains with white snow, creating a stark contrast to the usual desert scenery.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this snowfall followed a series of severe weather events that have been sweeping through the Al-Jawf region since last Wednesday, bringing heavy rains and hail, unexpectedly coating the dry mountainous areas with ice and snow layers. This unusual weather not only altered the terrain but also rejuvenated rivers and waterfalls, bringing life back to valleys and restoring the flow of streams.
Faced with this rare spectacle, locals and tourists quickly disembarked to capture unprecedented photos and videos of the unique weather, drawing attention from viewers worldwide.
Social media footage showed snowflakes falling on the desert, landing on the sandy beaches. In one video, a caravan of camels was seen traversing a thin layer of ice formed on the desert.
Following the inundation of photos and videos depicting this phenomenon on social media, many people started discussing climate change and sharing their viewpoints in the comments section.
One user wrote, “This is not a good sign; nature is changing its colors.” Another user remarked, “This isn’t snow, it’s hail. There’s a big difference.”
A third user posted a sarcastic comment, saying, “No, whatever is happening, climate change is just another hoax.”
In summer, temperatures in the Al-Nafūd desert can reach as high as 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit), making the current snowfall a rare meteorological anomaly.
The average temperature in the region at the beginning of November is typically 17 degrees Celsius, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius and lows of 11 degrees Celsius.
Due to its arid desert climate, the monthly average rainfall in the area is only 0.48 inches.
The Saudi Meteorology Department has issued warnings that adverse weather conditions will persist in the coming days. Weather forecasts predict more thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. Officials urge residents to exercise caution.
While snowfall in Saudi Arabia is extremely rare, snow in desert regions globally is not unprecedented.
Climate scientists suggest that the frequency of such unusual weather events may increase.
Earlier this week, South Africa experienced its first November snowfall in 85 years, despite being in spring. In September, the Sahara Desert, the world’s largest non-polar desert, witnessed multiple rounds of heavy rainfall. The northern edge of the desert in Morocco displayed a bizarre sight of “desert turned into a lake” due to record rainfall, triggering floods unseen in decades. Meanwhile, some countries along the southern edge of the desert experienced rainfall several times higher than usual.