Parts of Saudi Arabia have experienced a rare and striking winter snowfall, transforming typically arid desert landscapes into fields of white and prompting widespread attention across the country.

Footage shared by residents and local authorities showed snow covering sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and open plains after a powerful cold weather system moved across the region.

The snowfall was reported in several northern and central areas, where temperatures dropped sharply following the arrival of polar air masses combined with increased moisture.

Meteorological officials said the conditions were unusual but not unprecedented, noting that Saudi Arabia can occasionally experience snow during winter months when atmospheric patterns align.

Authorities monitored road conditions and advised residents to exercise caution in affected areas, while many locals and visitors took the opportunity to document the rare phenomenon.

The event also drew interest from climate and weather specialists, who said it highlighted the growing variability of weather patterns across the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia’s desert snowfall underscored the country’s diverse climate extremes, ranging from intense heat to sudden winter cold snaps.

Forecasters said temperatures were expected to gradually return to seasonal norms in the days following the snowfall, bringing an end to the brief but memorable winter scene.