Snowfall In Desert Nation? Saudi Arabia’s Rare Winter Twist Shocks World, Breaks Climate Norms After Three Decades | Watch

It was quite an unusual winter sight that was witnessed in Saudi Arabia as snow was seen falling in several places across the northern parts of the country. This was the first snowfall that has been recorded in close to 30 years. The vast desert lands that were snowed were also unprecedented as they were usually characterized by quite high temperatures.

There were also reported instances of snowfall in various parts of the Tabuk region, Hail, as well as in the Tuwaiq mountain range, with some areas registering temperatures near or below the freezing point, thus suitable for snow formation in elevated areas. The picture of camels in a snowed-under desert spread across social networks, symbolizing the rarity of this occurrence.

Residents Share Rare Views

Videos that went viral on social media sites showed families venturing out to enjoy the weather, with some residents being spotted skiing up snow-caked dunes. The snowfall was described as “historic” by local television stations, with residents expressing excitement yet concerns over the ice-clogged roads, among other factors. Reportedly, temperatures were recorded as low as 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in several northern localities, including Sakaka, Tabuk, Turaif, and Hail. Fog and wind were also witnessed in some regions.

Snow has fallen in Saudi Arabia. In the country’s northern regions, it has happened for the first time in the past 30 years

The snow covered desert areas across thousands of square kilometers — from the Tuwaiq mountain range in the west to regions closer to Riyadh. Local TV… pic.twitter.com/IKPzalcZ1v

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 21, 2025

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Weather System Behind Sudden Chill

According to the Saudi National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the cause of the snowfall was a deep low system that moved into the Middle East and brought cold air masses into the north and center of Saudi Arabia. The system interacted with rain clouds to cause the rain and snow. “The cold wave is expected to continue for a few more days, while there may be snow in some areas in Qassim and northern Riyadh,” spokesmen for the NCM explained. Residents have been advised to be cautious in valleys prone to floods.

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Meteorologists have observed that, although snow in Saudi Arabia is a rare occurrence, it has happened before. It has happened in the high regions of the northern areas of the country when heavy winter storms hit the regions. It also happened in other parts of the country in the previous year. Climatologists noted that “this case again emphasizes rising weather fluctuations, where unusual cold waves, rain, and snow are observed in areas known for heat and drought.”