Snowfall in Saudi Arabia? Viral video shows unusual weather, internet divided over whether it is real | Watch

Visuals from the viral video

Snowfall across parts of northern Saudi Arabia has astounded social media users and has triggered surprise and disbelief, with many users asking if the videos and pictures that have been popping up on social media are actually real.

This is because Saudi Arabia is widely known for its desert climate. However, this week, Trojena Highlands and sections of the Tabuk region witnessed unusually low weather.

According to the Saudi Gazette, Jabal Al-Lawz in Tabuk witnessed heavy snowfall on Wednesday, accompanied by thick fog and strong winds. Temperatures in the area dropped dramatically, reportedly falling to minus 4 degrees Celsius.

The Trojena highlands also saw snowfall along with light to moderate rainfall. Precipitation was recorded in multiple centres including Bi’r bin Hirmas, Al-Uyaynah, Halat Ammar and Shigry, as well as surrounding areas.

Videos of the snowfall quickly spread online, with one clip gaining particular traction. The video was originally posted on Instagram by Omar Alnauimi, known online as @storm_ae, who captioned it, “In a rare event, snow is falling heavily in Saudi Arabia.”

The footage sparked a wave of reactions, ranging from awe to scepticism. “Real or fake?” one user commented, while another quipped, “End is coming”. Several others questioned the authenticity of the visuals, asking, “Is this AI?” and “Is this AI generated?” amid growing concerns over manipulated content on social platforms.

Not all responses were doubtful. Some users welcomed the unusual sight, with one describing it as a “Winter wonderland in the desert.”

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A post shared by مركز العاصفة لمراقبة الطقس والتغير المناخي المؤسس omar alnauimi (@storm_ae)

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While the visuals appeared extraordinary, snowfall in northern Saudi Arabia is not unprecedented and this is not the first time it has happened.

Last year, parts of the Al-Jawf region reportedly experienced snowfall for the first time. The Tabuk region, which sits at an elevation exceeding 2,600 metres above sea level, regularly records winter snowfall due to its geography.

The region’s comparatively cooler climate has also made it a seasonal attraction, drawing tourists from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who visit each year to witness the rare phenomenon of snow against a desert backdrop.