The first recorded snow turns Al-Nafūd Desert in Saudi Arabia into winter

by Junna Base November 12, 2024

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 covered 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, blanketing the desert and producing stunning images that circulated worldwide on social media.

The unusual meteorological phenomenon was caused by a low pressure system that originated in the Arabian Sea and brought heavy rains and hailstorms to 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, combined with the intense desert heat, caused thunderstorms, hail and even snow.

After the heavy rains, Al-Jawf was covered in hail, leaving a white blanket over the desert landscape. The desert, accustomed to high temperatures, turned into a white and cold landscape, which brought great joy to both locals and tourists. Residents and tourists quickly headed 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 around the world and causing netizens to wonder why the normally hot region is covered in snow after heavy rain.

Footage and images of snowflakes falling over the desert and settling on the sand have been widely shared on social media. In one clip, a caravan of camels can be seen walking across a thin layer of ice that has formed on the ground. Images taken on November 2 and published by the Saudi press office show vast areas of sand covered by a layer of white. Social media has become a “visual diary” of this unprecedented phenomenon, filled with content that captures its beauty and stimulates discussions about climate change and its impacts.

Experts believe the low pressure system’s moisture collided with desert heat to trigger rain and snow, as heavy rains and a hailstorm created the necessary conditions for this unusual series of snowfalls. The temperature collision resulted in rainfall and unexpected snowfall. The combination of low temperatures and high humidity caused by the low pressure system favored snowfall, which is extremely rare in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Climatologists suspect that such atypical weather events, including the recent snowfall, could become more frequent due to changing atmospheric conditions related to global climate change. This unexpected snowfall reflects climate changes that could cause such phenomena to become more common in dry regions. The event highlights how, in the context of climate change, normally dry areas such as Al-Jawf can experience unprecedented weather conditions with profound and surprising environmental impacts.

Despite the visual similarity, experts determined that the white blanket in the Al-Nafūd Desert was not snow, but a layer of hail, creating an unusual scenario in the arid landscape. Others pointed out that it was technically hail and not snow, but at first glance the accumulation of hail can easily be mistaken for snow as the hailstones look almost like snow, creating a surprising image in the desert. Persistent rainfall accompanied by hail contributed to the creation of this unusual panorama in the Al-Nafūd desert.

The snowfall not only changed the landscape of Al-Jawf, but also had an impact on the region’s aquifers. The Saudi Press Agency revealed that the unusual weather has not only changed the topography but also breathed new life into rivers and waterfalls in Saudi Arabia. Heavy rains have flooded lands and valleys in the Al-Jawf region, and as a result of recent weather events, many waterfalls began to flow.

The Saudi Meteorological Ministry and local media have issued alerts warning residents to prepare for extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms, heavy rains, hail and strong winds in the coming days. Meteorologists say the unusual weather conditions could affect people’s daily lives and visibility on roads, with heavier rainfall, hail and strong winds expected in desert areas. Local authorities expect low temperatures to be generated in the coming days and maintained for a period of time. The National Center of Meteorology of the United Arab Emirates assured that the phenomenon could temporarily change climatic conditions, with persistent low temperatures expected in the coming days.

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Residents are advised to exercise caution and prepare for disruptions to daily activities due to the unusual weather and ongoing adverse conditions. Officials urged residents to take necessary precautions due to the unusual weather and climate conditions, as the storms could disrupt travel and disrupt daily life. Meteorologists have advised citizens to take precautions and prepare for this surprisingly cold season.

In this context, experts have begun to discuss the long-term impacts of these changes, emphasizing that this event could be just an indicator of future climate challenges for the Middle East and other arid areas of the world. This rare meteorological event offers a fascinating insight into climatic exceptions and the potential impact of atmospheric changes in normally inhospitable regions, as it has altered the landscape and caused widespread disruption. The event highlights the importance of monitoring climate changes that are affecting even the world’s deserts.

Some social media users expressed shock and amazement at the snowfall in Al Jawf Desert. Some called it a sign of the Last Judgment, others discussed climate change as a suspected cause. The event sparked a lot of interest on social media. Local residents and tourists document the unique event and share shocking images and videos of a snowy desert. Social media was flooded with photos and videos of the snow-covered dunes, with people showing off the huge hailstones and sharing the moment in real time.

In summer, temperatures in the Al-Nafūd Desert can easily rise above 50°C, making the hail images even more surprising. Typical temperatures in the region 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 left a strong impression in Saudi Arabia, where winter temperatures rarely fall to these levels.

According to experts, when a mass of moist air meets the cold air of the desert, a climate disruption occurs that can lead to extreme phenomena. Meteorologists emphasize that further studies are needed to fully understand the causes of this event. The unexpected snowfall in Al-Jawf has prompted local authorities to issue warnings of extreme weather conditions.

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

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq

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