The Middle East is a vast and diverse region that spans Morocco to Iran and Turkey to Yemen. It is home to more than 400 million people who speak different languages, practice different religions, and live in different climates. While this area is renowned for its arid landscape and scorching temperatures, there are little regions tucked away that experience the magic of snowfall. This rare phenomenon is a result of unique geographical conditions.
The main factors that influence the occurrence of snow in the Middle East are the elevation, the latitude, and the atmospheric circulation. Higher altitudes tend to have lower temperatures and higher precipitation, which increase the chances of snow. Higher latitudes also tend to have colder and longer winters, which extend the snow season. The atmospheric circulation determines the direction and the strength of the winds that bring cold or warm air masses to the region.
The most common sources of cold air are Europe, Siberia, and the Mediterranean Sea, while the most common sources of warm air are the Arabian Peninsula, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Here are some of the best destinations for experiencing snow in the Middle East.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest and most sacred cities in the world and the capital of Israel. It is located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains at an altitude of about 800 metres. Jerusalem has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and cool and rainy winters.
Snowfall is rare, but not unheard of, in Jerusalem. It usually occurs once or twice every decade when moist air from the Mediterranean Sea meets cold air from the north or east. The duration and intensity of a storm determine how long the snowfall will last, ranging from a few hours to several days.
Saudi Arabia near the Jordanian border is the largest country in the Middle East, and most of it is covered by the Arabian Desert. However, in the northwestern part of the country, near the border with Jordan, lies the city of Tabuk, which has a semi-arid climate and an elevation of about 770 metres.
Tabuk receives snowfall every few years, usually in January or February, when cold air masses from Europe or Siberia reach the region. The snow melts quickly, creating a stunning contrast with the desert.
Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is situated on a series of hills and valleys at an average elevation of about 900 metres. Amman has a semi-arid climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. Snowfall is uncommon, but not impossible, in Amman.
It usually happens once every few years, when a low-pressure system from the Mediterranean Sea brings cold and moist air to the region. The snow can range from a light dusting to a heavy blanket, depending on the altitude and the temperature.
Morocco is the westernmost country in the Middle East, and the only one that has a coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a diverse geography, ranging from the Sahara Desert in the south, to the Atlas Mountains in the centre, to the Rif Mountains in the north. Ifrane is a small town in the Middle Atlas, at an elevation of about 1,650 metres. It has a humid continental climate, with cold and snowy winters and warm and sunny summers.
Ifrane is one of the snowiest places in the Middle East, and even in Africa. It receives an average of 1.5 meters of snow per year, and sometimes more than 2 metres. It is a popular destination for skiing and winter sports.