Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Saudi Arabia Sees Rare Snowfall in 30 Years
Saudi Arabia, a country usually known for its hot desert climate, recently had something very unusual: snow!
In places like Tabuk Province, Hail Region, and even the eastern province of Al-Ahsa, snow fell for the first time in 30 years.
The snow covered mountains and even some desert areas.
It was so cold that temperatures dropped below freezing in some places.
Experts say this happened because a very cold air mass moved into the area and mixed with rain clouds.
People were excited to see snow, and videos of snow-covered deserts and mountains went viral on social media.
Officials warned residents to be careful because of possible flooding and to drive carefully.
Some schools even switched to online classes because of the bad weather.
Scientists are also worried that this kind of unusual weather might be happening more often because of climate change.
Saudi Arabia is even planning to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029 in a new winter destination called Trojena.
Saudi Arabia experienced rare snowfall in northern and central regions, including Tabuk Province, Hail Region, and Al-Ahsa.
Temperatures dropped below 0 degrees Celsius in some areas, as low as -4°C, with snow accumulation on higher ground and desert plains.
The National Centre for Meteorology attributed the snowfall to a cold air mass interacting with rain-bearing clouds and a deep low-pressure system from the Mediterranean Sea.
Authorities issued warnings about low temperatures, potential flooding, and advised residents to drive carefully and avoid valleys, with some schools shifting to remote learning.
Social media was flooded with images and videos of snow-covered mountains and deserts, attracting crowds and excitement among residents.
- Who
- Residents and experts in Saudi Arabia
- What
- Rare snowfall and heavy rainfall across northern and central regions
- When
- Recently, with temperatures expected to remain low in the coming days
- Where
- Northern and central Saudi Arabia, including Tabuk Province, Hail Region, Al-Ahsa, Al-Majmaah, Al-Ghat, Riyadh, Qassim, eastern Saudi Arabia
- Why
- Due to a cold air mass moving into the region and interacting with rain-bearing clouds, deep low-pressure system from the Mediterranean Sea
- Location
- Northern and central Saudi Arabia, including Tabuk Province, Hail Region, Al-Ahsa, Al-Majmaah, Al-Ghat, Riyadh, Qassim, eastern Saudi Arabia
- Temperature Drop
- Below 0 degrees Celsius in some areas, as low as -4°C
- Affected Regions
- Bir Bin Hermas, Al-Ayinah, Ammar, Al-Jawf
- Cause
- Cold air mass interacting with rain-bearing clouds, deep low-pressure system from the Mediterranean Sea
- Precautions
- Schools shifted to remote learning, warnings about flooding and driving carefully
- Social Media Impact
- Videos of snow-covered deserts and mountains went viral, residents playing with snow
- Climate Concerns
- Experts link increasing frequency of such events to climate change, Arab region warming at nearly twice the global average
- Historical Context
- Most intense cold wave recorded in 1992, temperatures dropped to -9.3°C in Hail, 20 cm of snowfall in Riyadh in 1973
- Economic Strategy
- Saudi Arabia developing Trojena, a high-altitude winter destination for the Asian Winter Games in 2029
Sources
Saudi Arabia sees rare snowfall: What caused this sudden weather shift?
When the desert turned white: Saudi Arabia sees snowfall for first time in decades as rare cold wave sweeps the Kingdom
It’s snowing in Saudi Arabia. What caused the 1st snowfall in 30 years and –4°C desert cold?
Rare snowfall blankets Saudi Arabia's Al-Jawf: Why is it happening now?
Saudi Arabia sees rare snowfall, sub zero mercury amid unusual cold wave: Here's why it's happening
