This winter, snow swept across multiple regions of the MENA, turning deserts into breathtaking winter landscapes. The weather delighted residents and even opened new opportunities for tourism. Here’s a look at how this year’s winter has treated different countries across the region.
Deserts Turn White in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s typically scorching deserts turned into winter wonderlands, sparking joy among its citizens. In the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and areas near Hail and Tabuk, including Jabal Al Lawz and the Trojena highlands, temperatures plunged to around –4°C, blanketing the landscape in white. Residents were quick to celebrate the extraordinary moment, flooding social media with content to commemorate the scenery.
Snow Covers Lebanon’s Landscape
This winter, Lebanon’s mountainous regions, were covered in white. The country also prepares for a low-pressure system, bringing cold air masses that are expected to trigger snow in the highlands, leaving frost and icy conditions across the mountains and inland areas.
Morocco’s Winter Magic Boosts Tourism
In Morocco, the peaks of the Rif Mountains in the provinces of Chefchaouen and Al Hoceima experienced exceptional snowfall this winter. According to the Meteorological Directorate of the Kingdom of Morocco, these two provinces recorded Morocco’s highest snowfall measurements. The snowy landscapes have not only enchanted nature lovers but also boosted tourism, especially in Ifrane, where commercial activity surged like never before, giving a fresh lift to the local economy.
Snow Takes Over Algeria’s Sahara
Earlier this winter, the National Meteorological Office issued a Special Weather Bulletin (BMS) placing Tlemcen, Sidi Bel Abbès, Saïda, Tiaret, Naâma, El Bayadh, and Laghouat under an orange alert. This January, Northern Algeria experienced a stunning spectacle as snow blanketed the Sahara Desert. A cold snap pushed temperatures below freezing, transforming the golden sand dunes near Aïn Séfra into a striking white winter landscape.
True Winter Spirit in Turkey
No stranger to snowy scenes, especially in tourist-packed Cappadocia, Turkey, welcomed the New Year in festive fashion as snow blanketed its bustling city of Istanbul, a sight locals warmly embraced.
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