The 2016 Saudi Arabian snowstorm was an extreme weather event in late November 2016, in which parts of the Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia experienced subzero temperatures, snowfall and flooding.
Snow was first reported in northern parts of Saudi Arabia on 23 November. By 25 November, temperatures as low as −4 °C (25 °F) were reported in Turaif, in Northern Borders Region, and there was snow cover in central and northeastern regions. Normal seasonal temperatures do not fall below 20 °C (68 °F). Many Saudis enjoyed unusual outdoor activities such as building snowmen and sliding; however, the snow was followed by rain and lightning that caused flooding and led to the deaths of at least 7 people.
As of 22 December 2016, snow had also fallen in Israel, Syria and other parts of the Middle East.
Snow has occasionally occurred in Saudi Arabia in previous winters. In 2013 a video of a man somersaulting in snow there circulated on social media. In January 2016, snow fell between Mecca and Medina for the first time in 85 years.
