Will it snow in UAE? What expert says after rare snowfall in Saudi Arabia
After days of unstable weather across the UAE, which brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail in several areas, many residents are asking the same question, could snow ever fall in the country again?The curiosity comes as rare snowfall scenes from Saudi Arabia circulated online, showing deserts and mountain areas dusted in white. While snow remains unusual in the region, recent events have reminded residents that it is not impossible.On December 18, parts of Saudi Arabia witnessed snowfall after a cold air mass moved into the region, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Snow was reported in Al Majmaah and Al Ghat governorates north of Riyadh, as well as in higher elevation areas such as Jabal Al Lawz in the northwest.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology said the snowfall was triggered by a sharp drop in temperatures, with some locations falling below zero degrees Celsius, combined with rain-bearing thunderclouds. Authorities issued weather warnings and urged motorists to take caution due to icy and slippery roads.Asked whether similar conditions could bring snow to the UAE, Dr Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology said snowfall requires very specific atmospheric conditions.“Snow can only occur under strict conditions, mainly in high elevation areas and when temperatures in the upper layers of the atmosphere drop significantly,” he said. “In the UAE, this is uncommon, and what we typically see instead is hail.”In the UAE, recent winter weather has already produced scenes that many residents described as snow-like. During icy rains earlier this season, hail covered parts of the desert, turning sandy stretches white and prompting comparisons to snowfall.In another cold spell, temperatures in Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah dropped close to zero degrees Celsius, with residents heading to mountainous areas to see ice form on the ground, a trend some dubbed “ice chasing.” While these events did not involve actual snow, they highlighted how intense winter systems can create similar visuals under the right conditions.Despite its rarity, the UAE has seen snow before. One of the most memorable incidents took place on January 24, 2009, when parts of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah were blanketed in snow.The snowfall followed one of the coldest nights recorded in the country, with temperatures dropping to as low as minus three degrees Celsius. Snow covered mountain peaks at heights of around 5,700 ft and stretched for more than five kilometres, with reports of snow depths reaching up to 20cm in some areas.Residents and officials at the time said the 2009 snowfall was heavier and lasted longer than a similar event recorded in December 2004.More recently, in 2020, snow was reported on Jebel Jais after temperatures dipped below zero degrees Celsius. The National Centre of Meteorology attributed the event to shifting pressure systems and changes in upper air conditions.For now, meteorologists say UAE residents are far more likely to experience rain, thunderstorms and hail during winter weather systems, with snowfall remaining a rare possibility limited to high elevations when conditions align.UAE: Will it rain more this winter? What residents can expect after unstable weather'Our tents flew off': 33 camel trekkers brave rain, strong winds as they reach DubaiHow Dubai resident helps vulnerable animals with 'nowhere to go' during rain
After days of unstable weather across the UAE, which brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail in several areas, many residents are asking the same question, could snow ever fall in the country again?
The curiosity comes as rare snowfall scenes from Saudi Arabia circulated online, showing deserts and mountain areas dusted in white. While snow remains unusual in the region, recent events have reminded residents that it is not impossible.
On December 18, parts of Saudi Arabia witnessed snowfall after a cold air mass moved into the region, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Snow was reported in Al Majmaah and Al Ghat governorates north of Riyadh, as well as in higher elevation areas such as Jabal Al Lawz in the northwest.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology said the snowfall was triggered by a sharp drop in temperatures, with some locations falling below zero degrees Celsius, combined with rain-bearing thunderclouds. Authorities issued weather warnings and urged motorists to take caution due to icy and slippery roads.
Asked whether similar conditions could bring snow to the UAE, Dr Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology said snowfall requires very specific atmospheric conditions.
“Snow can only occur under strict conditions, mainly in high elevation areas and when temperatures in the upper layers of the atmosphere drop significantly,” he said. “In the UAE, this is uncommon, and what we typically see instead is hail.”
In the UAE, recent winter weather has already produced scenes that many residents described as snow-like. During icy rains earlier this season, hail covered parts of the desert, turning sandy stretches white and prompting comparisons to snowfall.
In another cold spell, temperatures in Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah dropped close to zero degrees Celsius, with residents heading to mountainous areas to see ice form on the ground, a trend some dubbed “ice chasing.” While these events did not involve actual snow, they highlighted how intense winter systems can create similar visuals under the right conditions.
Despite its rarity, the UAE has seen snow before. One of the most memorable incidents took place on January 24, 2009, when parts of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah were blanketed in snow.
The snowfall followed one of the coldest nights recorded in the country, with temperatures dropping to as low as minus three degrees Celsius. Snow covered mountain peaks at heights of around 5,700 ft and stretched for more than five kilometres, with reports of snow depths reaching up to 20cm in some areas.
Residents and officials at the time said the 2009 snowfall was heavier and lasted longer than a similar event recorded in December 2004.
More recently, in 2020, snow was reported on Jebel Jais after temperatures dipped below zero degrees Celsius. The National Centre of Meteorology attributed the event to shifting pressure systems and changes in upper air conditions.
For now, meteorologists say UAE residents are far more likely to experience rain, thunderstorms and hail during winter weather systems, with snowfall remaining a rare possibility limited to high elevations when conditions align.
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