Saudi Arabia's north-west desert covered in snow after unusual winter storm

By Zena Chamas

Posted Wed at 1:17amRELATED STORY: Coral around the world is dying, except one reef where it's flourishing

RELATED STORY: Winter avalanches claim at least 69 lives across Kashmir in Pakistan and India

RELATED STORY: Climate change means the childhood you remember no longer exists

A powerful storm bringing sub-zero temperatures has transformed parts of the Saudi Arabian desert into a winter wonderland.

Key points:

• The storm covered Tabuk, 192 kilometres from the Red Sea, in dusty white snow
• Videos shared online show camels shuffling through snow instead of sand
• While snow is rare, Saudi Arabia last experienced falls in April last year

Residents of Tabuk, 193 kilometres from the Red Sea, awoke to see the region's dry desert coated in white snow, leaving many in awe. 

Tabuk, one of the coldest regions in Saudi Arabia, typically dips to 4 degrees Celsius at this time of year but it is usually dry, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Eric Leister.

"A powerful storm tracked from southern Europe and the Mediterranean into the Middle East last week, pulling cold air into the region and resulting in the snowfall," Mr Leister said.

PHOTO: While snow is rare, Saudi Arabia last had falls in April last year.  (Reuters)

Videos began circulating online showing camels shuffling through snow instead of sand, as residents enjoyed some snow play.

And it did not take long for the higher areas near Tabuk which were blanketed by the snow to become popular with locals and tourists in the area, local media reported.

Images of the unusual scenes quickly went viral, with people across the kingdom and in neighbouring countries clamouring to view and share them.

بندر الحواس@B_KH_H

continue