A powerful wave of severe weather recently struck the Ha’il province in Saudi Arabia, bringing intense thunderstorms and an exceptional hailstorm that blanketed various parts of the region.

Rare Hailstorm Hits Saudi Arabia

Ha’il, an oasis city in the Najd region with a population of around 265,000, awoke to an unusual white covering of hail—a rare phenomenon for the autumn season. Residents captured videos showing the desert transformed into a white expanse, sharing the remarkable sight on social media. This extraordinary event, especially for November, brought both awe and surprise to the community.

An Unusual Occurrence for Autumn

Severe weather events like these are more common in the summer months when thunderstorms and hail typically hit the Arabian Peninsula. However, the intensity of this autumn storm surprised even weather experts, catching them off guard with its strength. The central area of the country faced significant travel disruptions, and road conditions worsened, creating challenging situations for those traveling in the region.

Understanding How Hail Forms

Hail forms when the Earth’s surface heat causes moisture to rise into the atmosphere. When this moisture reaches higher, colder altitudes, it freezes. Updrafts within the thunderstorm push hailstones upward multiple times, allowing them to grow as they cross the freezing level repeatedly. This repeated cycle can result in larger hailstones, depending on the storm’s strength and the updrafts involved.