Why Did Saudi Arabia’s Desert Turn White? Rare Snowfall Shocks Everybody

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Dec 23, 2025:
Parts of Saudi Arabia witnessed rare snowfall this week, surprising people in a country known for its scorching heat and vast deserts. Snow was reported in regions such as Tabuk, Hail, Al-Jawf, the Trojena highlands, and areas near Riyadh, where mountains and even sandy landscapes were covered in white.

What happened?

Weather officials said a strong cold wave moved into the region, causing temperatures to drop sharply. In higher and colder areas, rain turned into snow, which later spread to nearby desert zones. As the cold air stayed for several hours, snow was able to settle even on sand and rocky ground.

Videos shared online showed snow on dunes, camels walking through icy paths, and people sliding and playing in the snow. Many residents stepped out to enjoy the rare sight, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Snow fall in Saudi Arabia!!
Saudi Arabia is known for its scorching heat and expansive deserts.
Northern Saudi Arabia saw snowfall that dramatically transformed the landscape of the Tabuk Province mountains.
Trojena, a high-altitude area on Jebel Al-Lawz, located at 2,600 meters… pic.twitter.com/FRxcGgyiVv
— SK Chakraborty (@sanjoychakra) December 22, 2025

How people reacted

Families, tourists, and locals rushed to open areas and hilltops to watch and record the snowfall. Social media quickly filled with photos and clips of children making snowballs and groups posing against white desert backdrops. The scenes drew attention from across the Middle East and beyond.

Why it is unusual

Saudi Arabia mostly has a hot and dry climate, though some northern mountains can get very cold in winter. What makes this event special is the amount of snow and the wide area it covered, including desert plains where snowfall is almost never seen.

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What’s next

Meteorologists said such cold waves are rare but can happen when icy winds move south into the region. Authorities are monitoring the situation as temperatures remain low and have advised people to be careful while travelling on icy roads.

Significance with climate change

Experts say such unusual weather shows how climate patterns are changing. Climate change is making weather more extreme and less predictable, bringing heatwaves, heavy rain, cold spells, and even snow to places that do not normally see them. While one snowfall cannot prove climate change alone, scientists warn that rare events like this could become more frequent in the future.