Extreme snowstorm strikes Middle East

The mysterious and extreme weather has caused bizarre ‘ice floods’ to sweep across deserts in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

The freezing plunge in temperatures has perplexed meteorologists in a region that is typically basking in scorching sunshine at this time of year.

Last week, several parts of Tunisia were hit by snow and torrential rainfall, causing fatalities.

Floods and colder temperatures were felt throughout the Levant, as rain led to severe flooding in Riyadh, and hail, thunderstorms, and flash floods struck the UAE.

READ: Iran expands evacuations as rains worsen floods

At the same time, nearly one hundred villages have been evacuated in Iran due to an extreme rainfall deluge and subsequent flash floods.

Large parts of Saudi Arabia have been submerged in snowfall, sparkling wonder amazes local residents and concern among scientists.

At one point, a hailstorm in Saudi Arabia became so severe that it triggered an icy flash flood.

Dr Ahmad Habib, a meteorological expert at the National Center of Meteorology in the UAE, said: “It’s usually warmer in April. This isn’t familiar weather in this period.

It’s a period of instability for all the region.

Experts claim the unusual weather patterns could be a sign of climate change.

Dr Karim Bergaoui, a climate and water-modelling scientist in Dubai, added: “This April was exceptional in many countries, like the snow that hit Tunisia.

READ: Floods kill 5 in snow-hit Algeria

“We feel it’s exceptional because the last three years have been three successive dry years in North Africa.”

Dr Taoufik Ksiksi, associate professor of biology at UAE University, added: “The weather is unusual in North Africa and West Asia.

“Such extreme weather events, whether it’s very intense snow or rain, are out of season.”