You don’t usually pack a parka for a trip to the Saudi desert. But this week, if you were heading north towards Tabuk or Hail, you definitely needed one.
In a twist that feels a bit like a glitch in the simulation, parts of the Kingdom have turned completely white. We’re talking proper snow—enough to cover the camels and send local residents scrambling up the mountains for some impromptu skiing. It’s the kind of scene that makes you stop scrolling when it pops up on your feed: endless golden sands suddenly draped in ice, looking for all the world like a misplaced piece of the Alps.
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When Winter Hit Hard
The weather reports called it a “deep low-pressure system,” but for the people on the ground, it was just pure excitement.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had flagged that rain and hail were coming to the highlands, but the intensity at Jabal Al Lawz—the famous “Mountain of Almonds” up near the Jordan border—was something else. This peak stands over 2,500 meters tall, so it’s no stranger to a chill, but seeing it blanketed like this is always a shock to the system.
That’s where the viral magic happened. You’ve probably seen the clips by now: guys in thobes layering heavy jackets on top, friends trying to slide down snowy hills on whatever makeshift sleds they could find, and traditional dances breaking out in sub-zero temperatures. It’s joyous, chaotic, and completely charming.
There’s also something hauntingly beautiful about the footage of camels trekking through the snow. It’s a visual clash—desert endurance meets arctic cold—that reminds you just how diverse this region’s geography actually is.
Is Snow in Saudi Arabia is Normal?
Now, before we scream “climate change” too loudly, it’s worth noting that this isn’t entirely unprecedented. I remember writing about similar flurries a few years back.
“Snowfall events are not unusual during the winter months,” stated Mohammed bin Reddah Al Thaqafi, a leading Saudi astronomer. He explained that these conditions typically occur between December and February when cold air masses from the Mediterranean interact with local systems.
But here’s the thing: while the event isn’t new, the reach feels different this time. We’re seeing reports of weather instability reaching as far south as Al-Ghat, uncomfortably close to Riyadh. That’s the part that gets locals talking. It feels like the weather map is expanding, bringing winter to doorsteps that usually only see rain.
If You’re Planning a Road Trip
If you are thinking of driving up to catch the snow before it melts—and let’s be honest, a lot of us in the UAE are tempted—just be careful.
The Civil Defense isn’t taking chances. The roads up in Tabuk are slick with ice right now, and visibility can drop fast.
- Take it slow. Those mountain curves are treacherous when frozen.
- Watch the apps. Keep an eye on the official NCM alerts; weather shifts fast in the highlands.
- Bundle up. Seriously. It’s dipping to -2°C in some spots.
It’s a rare moment of “winter wonderland” in a region defined by its heat. If you can make it safely, it’s a sight you won’t forget.
Snow in Saudi Arabia, some viral photos:
