SRINAGAR: An unusual spell of winter weather swept across large parts of Saudi Arabia this week, bringing snowfall, heavy rain and plunging temperatures to regions more commonly associated with arid heat and desert landscapes.
Snow was reported on Wednesday and Thursday in northern parts of the Kingdom, dramatically altering the appearance of mountain ranges in Tabuk and surrounding regions. Trojena, a high-altitude destination located on Jebel Al-Lawz in Tabuk Province and rising to around 2,600 metres, was blanketed in snow, accompanied by light rainfall. Parts of the Hail Region, including areas around the city of Hail, also witnessed snowfall on Wednesday evening.
The cold spell was accompanied by widespread rain across several regions. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in Bir Bin Hermas, Al-Ayinah, Ammar, AlUla Governorate, Shaqra and its suburbs, while moderate to heavy rain affected Riyadh, Qassim and parts of the Eastern Region. The Saudi capital experienced persistent rainfall from the early hours of Thursday, with dense cloud cover lingering throughout the day.
In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, authorities in Riyadh shifted all schools to remote learning, as inclement weather has prevailed since Monday. The Qassim Region, including Buraidah, reported moderate to heavy rainfall, while the Tabuk Region experienced light to moderate rain, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The National Center for Meteorology said snowfall was also observed on Thursday morning in the governorates of Al-Majmaah and Al-Ghat, north of Riyadh, where snow accumulated on higher ground and open areas. Hussein Al-Qahtani, the NCM’s official spokesperson, said the conditions were caused by a cold air mass advancing into central and northern regions, combined with rain-bearing clouds.
“This has led to temperatures dropping below zero degrees Celsius in some locations, creating favourable conditions for snowfall during the early morning hours,” Al-Qahtani said. He added that the centre had issued early warnings and that specialised teams were continuing to monitor the situation. Temperatures are expected to remain low in the coming hours, with the possibility of frost in parts of the northern and central regions.
Authorities urged residents to exercise caution, particularly while driving on exposed roads where ice may form. The General Directorate of Civil Defense advised people to avoid valleys during the current weather spell and to follow official safety guidelines.
The rare snowfall drew large crowds in Al-Majmaah and Al-Ghat, with residents gathering to witness the phenomenon. “This is unprecedented, so we are excited to see it,” said Riyadh resident Thamr Alotaibi. “My friends and I are going to experience this winter wonder, which is going to be an amazing experience.”
Others said the weather had disrupted routine plans. “We had an outing planned for a family get-together on the city’s outskirts, but the prevailing weather forced us to change the plan and remain indoors,” said Abdul Hammed, another Riyadh resident.
The NCM has forecast gusty, dust-stirring winds across much of the Kingdom, along with the possibility of hail and further heavy rain in parts of Riyadh, Qassim and the Eastern Region. Light to moderate rain is also expected in the Northern Borders, Jouf, Hail and southwestern areas, with fog likely in some locations. Winds over the Red Sea are forecast at speeds of 25 to 50 kilometres per hour, increasing to as much as 60 kilometres per hour over the Arabian Gulf.
Images and videos of snow-covered mountains in northern Saudi Arabia have circulated widely on social media, with some users expressing disbelief at the scenes. While meteorologists have attributed the event to specific atmospheric conditions, the snowfall has once again highlighted the growing variability of weather patterns across the Kingdom.
