In a rare weather phenomenon, heavy rain and hailstorm have led to an unexpected snowfall which transformed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region into an icy landscape, covering its desert with snow for the first time in decades.
The mountains, which normally are associated with the dry desert landscape, were spotted as snowflakes marinating amidst such a harsh desert climate. The Saudi Press Agency said this rain refreshed the rivers and streams in the area after the heavy hailstorm.
@dailymail Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf desert woke up to snow for the first time ever! ❄️???? Locals used to sand dunes got a taste of winter, with snow covering roads and valleys. The rare sight came after heavy rains and hailstorms! ????VIRAL PRESS #saudiarabia #snow #natural #rain #news
This historic snowfall in Al-Jawf has really caught the attention of people worldwide, as social networking sites are full of pictures and videos of snow-covered desert landscapes. For inhabitants and visitors alike, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience winter weather in a desert climate.
According to National Centre of Meteorology, these unusual weather conditions were formed because of a rare low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea; the system pulled moist air into the region and the collision between these extreme conditions resulted in unusual weather.
Although the white desert caught the attention of many around the world, it also sparked fears. Many have noticed this odd phenomenon as a sign of climate change.
![Local residents at the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley [Sherin Zada/AP]](https://mmnews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Flooding-in-Swat-river-350x250.jpg)
