The thing is, the sand is just gone. Specifically, the northern desert of Saudi Arabia has completely transformed into a white landscape. This happened because a powerful cold air mass moved down from the north on December 18, 2025. And then the transformation began. For the first time in 30 years, the snowfall hit this hard across the dunes.
Also Read | Political War Chests: BJP’s ₹6,900 Crore vs. Congress’s ₹53 Crore
It mostly hammered Tabuk, Al Ula, and the Hail region. Over at Jabal Al-Lawz, temperatures crashed to -4°C. And then the tourists started arriving from everywhere to see the “Almond Mountain” covered in white. Let’s be real, seeing camels standing in snowdrifts is a bit surreal, or nothing.
What draws people there is the reliability of these high-altitude spots. Jabal Al Lawz in Tabuk is the top choice. It sits at 2,549 meters, so it gets heavy snow often during these polar snaps. You can even find people sledding or snowboarding there. The Al-Jawf region also saw historical snow in November.
Also Read | Political War Chests: BJP’s ₹6,900 Crore vs. Congress’s ₹53 Crore
And then it happened again this month. Turaif is another big one right on the border. It actually holds the record for the coldest temperature at -12°C. Meanwhile, Abha is known as the “City of Fog.” It gets snow on its peaks when the mix is right. Specifically, the view is incredible, or nothing.
Logistics are a bit of a scramble, though. You have to fly into Tabuk Airport or Al-Ula. Most people connect through Riyadh or Jeddah first. And then you have to rent a car. You drive about three hours north from Tabuk city to reach the actual snow zones.
The roads are icy. Therefore, you must drive very carefully. Here’s the kicker: buses don’t go to the mountain peaks. You have to hire a private car or join a tour. Let’s be real, it’s a long, freezing trek if you aren’t prepared.
Weather out here is totally unpredictable. You should check the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) for live updates. Authorities are pushing for extreme caution on the roads. You also need to stay out of the valleys.
Flash floods happen fast when the hail hits. Pack heavy gear. -12°C is no joke. You need waterproof boots and thermal layers. Specifically, the situation is ongoing as more cold air moves in from the north.
Also Read | Political War Chests: BJP’s ₹6,900 Crore vs. Congress’s ₹53 Crore
