Saudi Arabia sees first snowfall in 30 years

Saudi Arabia, a country synonymous with searing heat and vast desert landscapes, witnessed an unusual winter episode as snowfall, heavy rain, and sharply falling temperatures swept across large parts of the country, leaving residents both excited and cautious.

The unusual episode once again underlined how climate change is harbouring unusual weather in regions that are far from prepared to handle it.

A surprising snowfall was reported in northern Saudi Arabia, dramatically changing the appearance of mountain ranges in Tabuk Province.

Trojena, a high-altitude destination on Jebel Al-Lawz, which rises to around 2,600 metres, was blanketed in snow along with light rainfall.

Parts of the Hail Region, including areas around Hail city, also saw snowfall — a rare occurrence in the Middle Eastern nation.

Temperatures dipped below 0C in some locations during the early morning hours, creating favourable conditions for snow accumulation across higher ground.

The cold wave was accompanied by widespread rainfall across several regions.

Light to moderate rain was recorded in Bir Bin Hermas, Al-Ayinah, Ammar, AlUla Governorate, Shaqra and its suburbs, while moderate to heavy rainfall affected Riyadh, Qassim, and parts of the Eastern region.

According to the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), snowfall was also observed in Al-Majmaah and Al-Ghat, north of Riyadh, where snow settled on open areas and elevated terrain.

Hussein Al-Qahtani, the NCM’s official spokesperson, said the conditions were driven by a cold air mass pushing into central and northern regions, interacting with rain-bearing clouds.

He added that temperatures were expected to remain low, especially in parts of the north and centre. Authorities urged residents to drive carefully and avoid valleys prone to flooding.