In an extraordinary and rare phenomenon, the Al-Nafūd desert in Saudi Arabia, typically known for its golden, sunbaked dunes, was transformed into a winter wonderland as snow and ice blanketed the region. This marks the first time in history that the northern Al-Jawf region, situated at the edge of the Al-Nafūd desert, has experienced snowfall.
Footage from the area shows the stunning transformation, with snowflakes settling on the sand, creating a surreal landscape. The desert, often associated with extreme heat reaching up to 55°C, now bears the stark contrast of an icy terrain. A caravan of camels was spotted cautiously treading across the icy surface, adding to the remarkable spectacle of the event.
The unexpected weather event was preceded by heavy rainfall and hailstorms that swept through parts of the Al-Jawf region on Monday, leading to the unprecedented snowfall. The United Arab Emirates National Centre of Meteorology explained that the unusual weather pattern was caused by a low-pressure system moving from the Arabian Sea towards Oman. This system brought moisture-laden air into the typically arid region, resulting in thunderstorms, hail, and rainfall that have affected Saudi Arabia and neighboring UAE.
As a result, the Saudi Weather Department has issued warnings of ongoing severe weather, predicting additional heavy rainfall, hailstorms, strong winds, and thunderstorms in the coming days. The conditions are expected to disrupt travel and affect visibility, leading to safety concerns across the region.
Residents have been advised to take precautions as the harsh weather continues to affect daily life in the area. While snow in the desert may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime event, meteorologists predict that this low-pressure system could have lingering effects, bringing more unexpected weather to the region in the coming days.
