Surprising images of a desert covered in hail and snow in Saudi Arabia

A completely white desert. The north of Saudi Arabia, the Al-Jawf region, experienced significant “unexpected” snowfall and hail last week, spotted TF1 info, citing the Arabia Weather site. “A rare weather event” that left residents and experts “stunned and surprised” as rivers and streams were dry, notes this private weather company website. Several Internet users then shared their photos of this “unique scene”.

According to Arabia Weather, “this unusual weather is due to the instability of the region's atmosphere, where the combination of humidity and extreme heat has led to the occurrence of these unusual weather phenomena.”

Not so “rare” weather phenomena

As TF1 points out, these weather phenomena are not “rare”. The Saudi media regularly relay these “unusual” images of snow in the deserts. But in this country where it is more than 40°C, it is possible to go sledding in winter in certain parts of Saudi Arabia.

Still according to this Saudi site, experts believe that hail is considered a “common phenomenon” which can occur several times a year, notably in Hail, Al-Qassim, Al-Jawf and the northern borders. In its weather forecast, the Saudi Center predicted last week, “continued stormy rains accompanied by active dusty winds and hailstorms” in these regions.