Updated on January 15: Snow storms continued to lash Middle East, leaving at seven people dead in Syria. According to meteorologists, the region is witnessing freezing winds, rain and snowfall due to which temperatures has dropped significantly.
Due to persistent freezing temperatures, the refugees are finding it extremely difficult to survive as home shelters have little or no protection for this kind of an inclement weather.
As per the latest forecast, similar weather conditions will prevail in the region for next 48 hours, bringing respite thereafter.
Updated on January 12: Saudi Arabia Desert gets Rare Snow
Parts of Middle East last week received snowfall when a winter storm, which the Arab meteorologists have decided to name as 'Huda', swept through the region. Also, the north western city of Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, which has a warm desert climate also experienced snow.
This rare winter storm which covered an area from Israel to Turkey resulted in snowfall along with falling temperatures. However, it was nothing new for the residents as some of the gone by winters have witnessed snow unlike previous decades where none was seen at all. Nonetheless, the area is not usually geared up for an extreme weather like this which resulted in disruption in transportation as well as travel.
This extreme weather condition was a result of an unusual dip in the jet stream which resulted in strong winds along with snow. Usually the Middle East does not receive snowfall. But, for the past two years the area has been experiencing snowfalls and storms. Jordan, Israel and Syria experienced record breaking snowfall in 50 years in December 2013. Due to the same storm, Egypt also received snow for the first time in a century.
In Syria, the Qassioun Mountain was covered with a blanket of snow bringing traffic to a halt and forcing the schools to be closed. Schools in Jerusalem were also shut down because of a snowfall alert. Mountains of Lebanon, Golan Heights and Northern Israel also witnessed snow. All parts of Levant, which includes Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Syria received snow.
Pic Courtesy: Gulf News