A viral social media claim has recently circulated, asserting that Saudi Arabia experienced snow for the “first time in history.” Images and videos of snow-covered camels in Saudi Arabia have spread widely, fueling the perception of an unprecedented winter phenomenon. These assertions have ignited discussions about climate change and unusual weather patterns in the region.
Social Media Claims
Social media platforms are awash with images and videos depicting snow in Saudi Arabia. Many captions claim this is the country’s “first time in history” experiencing snow, with users expressing astonishment at this purportedly historic event.
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Fact-Check
While Saudi Arabia is renowned for its scorching desert climate, certain regions—particularly in the north—have historically experienced snowfall during winter months.
Previous Snowfall in Saudi Arabia: Northern Saudi Arabia, particularly the Tabuk region, has experienced periodic snowfalls in recent years. A significant snowfall occurred in December 2022 and January 2023, with images of snow-blanketed Tabuk circulated by major news outlets likeAl Arabiya and Arab News. This mountainous region occasionally experiences winter temperatures low enough to produce snow.
Recent Snow in Al-Nafūd Desert: The claim appears to be based on a recent event in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nafūd Desert, where snow was observed for the first time. This occurrence is unusual, as the Al-Nafūd Desert typically doesn’t experience snow, even in winter. It’s worth noting that while this may be the first recorded snowfall in this specific desert region, it doesn’t imply that snow has never occurred elsewhere in Saudi Arabia. According to reports by the Jerusalem Post, this event marks the first known snowfall in the Al-Nafūd Desert, not in Saudi Arabia as a whole.
The circulation of photos depicting camels in snow has contributed to the spread of this claim. While such images are often associated with unusual weather events in desert regions, it’s important to note that camels in snowy landscapes have been documented previously, particularly in areas like Tabuk. These images have become somewhat regular occurrences, appearing almost annually and serving as a representation of Saudi Arabia’s diverse climate, which includes occasional snowfall in the northern highland regions.
Source: AP News
Summary
The recent snowfall in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nafūd Desert is indeed unusual and historic for that specific location. However, snow is not unprecedented in Saudi Arabia. The northern region of Tabuk, for instance, has seen snow several times in the past decade.
Thus, the claim that this is the “first time in history” Saudi Arabia has experienced snow is misleading. The truly historic event is the first recorded snowfall in the Al-Nafūd Desert—not the first snowfall in the country overall.
Title:No, Al-Nafūd Desert’s Snow is NOT the First-Ever Snowfall in Saudi Arabia
Fact Check By: Cielito WangResult: Misleading
