Meteorology: Snowfall expected in Riyadh and Qassim; tomorrow's weather forecast
The National Center for Meteorology announced significant and noteworthy weather developments, with the latest weather maps revealing the expansion of the polar weather system to include new areas in the heart of the Kingdom. The center confirmed that snowfall is expected in the northern parts of the Riyadh and Qassim regions tomorrow, Thursday, in a unique weather event anticipated by weather enthusiasts and photographers.
The official spokesperson for the center explained via digital platforms that this situation comes as an extension of the creeping “white visitor” which has already begun to affect the northern regions, noting that the north of the capital Riyadh and the Qassim region are sure to experience these winter weather conditions, thus joining the regions that have recently been covered in white, such as Tabuk and Hail, which reflects the deepening of the cold air mass towards the central regions.
The beginning of the situation and its impact on the north
The past few hours of Wednesday witnessed the actual start of this polar wave, with light snowfall and frost recorded in the highlands of Tabuk and Hail regions. These effects extended to the northeastern parts of the Madinah highlands. These phenomena created natural winter scenes combining the white of snow with the golden color of the sand, a sight that usually attracts hikers and desert camping enthusiasts to capture these rare moments.
Climate context and the importance of the event
This weather pattern is particularly significant given the Kingdom's desert climate, where snowfall in the central regions, such as northern Riyadh and Qassim, is less frequent than in the northern border areas. This sharp drop in temperatures and snowfall is due to a deepening polar low-pressure system in the upper atmosphere, accompanied by a very cold air mass, causing precipitation to turn to snow or ice.
Such news typically garners widespread public and media attention, not only locally but also regionally, with media outlets circulating images of camels and horses amidst the snow as a testament to the diverse climate and geography of Saudi Arabia. These conditions also usually prompt authorities such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol to raise their level of preparedness, warning motorists on highways of reduced visibility and the risk of skidding due to frost.
Comprehensiveness of the rainfall situation
The current weather conditions are not limited to snow; they coincide with a period of atmospheric instability in other regions. Partly to mostly cloudy skies cover the Kingdom, interspersed with rain-bearing thunderstorms directly impacting the western and southwestern parts of the country. This reflects the widespread nature of the rain and snow conditions across most of the Kingdom and underscores the importance of regularly checking official weather forecasts.
