First recorded snow turns Saudi Arabia's Al-Nafūd desert into winter wonderland

Saudi Arabia's Al-Nafūd Desert has experienced an unprecedented weather event, transforming its warm dunes into a winter wonderland. For the first time in recorded history, snow blanketed parts of the Al-Jawf region in the northern Al-Nafūd desert, astonishing residents and experts alike. An unprecedented storm brought hail and snow to the area, covering the desert and creating breathtaking images that circulated worldwide on social media.

The unusual meteorological phenomenon was driven by a low-pressure system that originated in the Arabian Sea, causing heavy rain and hailstorms across parts of Saudi Arabia and the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Meteorologists have linked the unusual weather to this low-pressure system that moved from the Arabian Sea to Oman. This system brought air containing water vapor, which, when combined with the intense desert heat, triggered thunderstorms, hail, and even snow.

After the heavy rains, Al-Jawf was covered with hail, leaving the desert landscape with a white mantle. The desert, accustomed to high temperatures, transformed into a white and cold landscape, greatly pleasing both locals and tourists. Residents and tourists quickly went to the desert to witness and document this unique event. Viral photos and videos on social media have caused a stir, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide and making netizens wonder why the usually hot region is covered in snow after heavy rain.

Footage and images of snowflakes falling across the desert and settling on the sand have circulated widely on social media. In one clip, a caravan of camels is seen walking across a thin layer of ice that has formed on the ground. Images recorded on November 2 and released by the Saudi press office show vast stretches of sand covered by a white layer. Social media has become a "visual diary" of this unprecedented phenomenon, filled with content capturing its beauty and sparking discussions about climate change and its implications.

Experts believe that the humidity from the low-pressure system clashed with the desert heat, unleashing rains and snow, as intense rains and a hailstorm created the necessary conditions for this unusual streak of snowfalls. The collision of temperatures resulted in rains and the unexpected fall of snow. The combination of low temperatures and high humidity, induced by the low-pressure system, facilitated the fall of snow, something extremely rare in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Climatologists suggest that such atypical weather events, including the recent snowfall, may increase in frequency due to shifting atmospheric conditions associated with global climate change. This unexpected snowfall reflects climate changes that could make such phenomena increasingly common in arid regions. The event underscores how, in the context of climate change, normally arid areas like Al-Jawf can experience previously unseen weather conditions, with profound and surprising impacts on the environment.

Despite the visual similarity, experts noted that the white covering in the Al-Nafūd desert was not snow but a layer of hail that created an unusual scenario in the arid landscape. Others pointed out that it was technically hail, not snow, but at first glance, the accumulation of hail can easily be mistaken for snow, as the hailstones almost resemble snow, creating a surprising scene in the desert. Prolonged precipitation, accompanied by hail, contributed to creating this unusual panorama in the Al-Nafūd desert.

In addition to altering the landscape of Al-Jawf, the snowfall had effects on the aquifers of the region. The Saudi Press Agency revealed that the unusual weather has not only changed the topography but has also given new life to rivers and waterfalls in Saudi Arabia. Heavy rains have flooded land and valleys in the Al-Jawf region, with many waterfalls starting to flow as a result of the recent weather events.

The Saudi Weather Department and local media have issued advisories warning residents to prepare for extreme weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds in the coming days. Meteorologists foresee that the unusual weather conditions could affect the daily life of the population and visibility on roads, with more intense rains, hail, and strong winds expected in desert areas. Local authorities estimate that in the coming days, low temperatures will be generated and maintained for a period. The National Center of Meteorology of the United Arab Emirates assured that the phenomenon could temporarily modify climatic conditions, with low temperatures expected to persist in the coming days.

Residents are advised to exercise caution and prepare for disruptions to daily activities due to the unusual weather and prolonged adverse conditions. Officials have urged residents to take necessary precautions due to the unusual weather and climatic conditions, as the storms may interrupt travel and affect daily life. Meteorologists have recommended citizens to take precautions and be prepared for this surprising cold season.

In this context, specialists have begun to discuss the long-term implications of these changes, emphasizing how this event could be only an indicator of future climate challenges for the Middle East and other arid areas of the world. This rare meteorological event offers a fascinating glimpse into climatic exceptions and the potential impact of atmospheric changes in usually inhospitable regions, as it has transformed the landscape and created widespread disruptions. The event reinforces the importance of observing the climate changes that are affecting even the deserts of the world.

Some social media users expressed shock and astonishment at the snowfall in the Al-Jawf desert, with some calling it a sign of the Day of Judgment and others debating climate change as a suspected cause. The event has generated massive interest on social media, with residents and tourists documenting the unique occurrence and sharing shocking images and videos of a snowy desert. Social networks were flooded with photos and videos of the snow-covered dunes, with people showing the huge hailstones and sharing the moment in real time.

In summer, temperatures in the Al-Nafūd desert can easily exceed 50°C, making the images of hail even more surprising. The area's typical temperatures in early November average 17 degrees Celsius, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius and lows of 11 degrees Celsius. This drastic change in conditions is a rare meteorological anomaly for the region. The event has left a strong impression in Saudi Arabia, where winter temperatures rarely drop to these levels.

According to specialists, when a mass of humid air meets the cold air of the desert, a climatic disturbance occurs that can lead to extreme phenomena. Meteorologists emphasize that additional studies are needed to fully understand the causes of this event. The unexpected snowfall in Al-Jawf has led local authorities to issue alerts for extreme weather.

Sources: Milenio, Liputan 6, Newsweek, Infobae, Exclsior, Scienze Notizie, El Confidencial

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq