Post by : Maya Rahman

In an unexpected meteorological event, northern Saudi Arabia experienced snowfall on Monday morning, the first such occurrence in over three decades. This surprising weather phenomenon took place near the Tuwaiq mountain range, located west of Riyadh, igniting excitement and intrigue among locals.

Known for its scorching desert terrain, Saudi Arabia rarely sees such winter scenes. Many residents flocked to witness the snowfall, sharing videos on social media that highlighted children and young adults reveling in the rare moment near the capital.

Experts attribute this unusual event to climate change, which is triggering strange and erratic weather patterns globally. The drop in temperatures altered certain areas into a temporary winter landscape.

Meteorologists elaborated that snowfall and hail can occasionally occur in higher regions like Tabuk during winter months when cold air meets moisture conditions. While rare, these phenomena can emerge under specific circumstances.

Climate experts underscore that global warming may exacerbate extreme weather, resulting in sudden cold fronts and significant precipitation even in typically hot locales like Saudi Arabia.

The National Meteorological Centre had previously issued warnings about a marked decrease in temperatures in the northern regions, urging residents to exercise caution. Last week, unanticipated snowfall also struck the Trojena highlands in the Tabuk region, furthering the atypical winter conditions.