COMMUNITY

Tabuk and Trojena Mountains turn icy white

Snowfall across parts of Tabuk and the Trojena Mountains has transformed the regions into an unexpected winter playground, prompting residents to step outside to ski, play, and capture the rare icy scenes.

The Trojena Highlands were draped in white, turning the rugged northern mountains into a striking winter landscape. Visitors shared videos and photos on social media, capturing snow settling on rocky slopes.

Rare snowy spectacle draws crowds

White blankets also spread across the mountains of Tabuk, drawing locals and tourists outdoors to witness the unusual sight.

Cold conditions at higher elevations offered a stark contrast to the Kingdom’s typical desert climate, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s diverse and dramatic landscapes.

Visitors gathered in picnic areas atop the mountains, taking photos and enjoying the snowy conditions.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) captured the joy on the faces of those exploring the snow-covered peaks. Social media clips have gone viral, including one showing a group of camels standing in a snow-covered desert beneath dark clouds — an extraordinary scene for the Kingdom

Trojena Mountains: A unique winter escape

The Trojena Mountains, part of NEOM, include some of Saudi Arabia’s highest peaks, rising around 2,600 meters above sea level. They are located about 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba, providing an accessible escape for residents and tourists eager to experience a rare winter scene in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is known for its scorching heat and expansive deserts.
Northern Saudi Arabia saw snowfall that dramatically transformed the landscape of the Tabuk Province mountains.

Active weather continues across Saudi Arabia

Today, several regions are expected to experience thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds. The most affected areas include Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah, with fog possible in these regions as well as Riyadh, Eastern, Northern Borders, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk.

Red Sea forecast

Surface winds: Northwesterly to northerly at 10–32 km/h in the north and central areas; southeasterly to easterly at 20–40 km/h in the south, reaching 50 km/h near Bab al-Mandab.
Wave height: 0.5–1 meter in the north and central parts; 1–2 meters in the south, exceeding 2 meters near Bab al-Mandab.
Sea state: Light waves in the north and central areas; moderate in the south, turning rough near Bab al-Mandab.

Arabian Gulf forecast

Surface winds: Southwesterly to southerly in the north; northwesterly to northerly in central and southern areas at 10–30 km/h.
Wave height: 0.5–1 meter.
Sea state: Light waves across the Gulf.

Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution, especially in coastal areas and regions prone to fog, heavy rainfall, or strong winds.

Excitement across the Kingdom

The cold wave and snowfall have sparked excitement and disbelief, with residents sharing images and videos of their cities and mountains blanketed in white. Residents and children alike enjoyed skiing, celebrating, and capturing landscapes rarely seen in Saudi Arabia, marking one of the Kingdom’s rarest winter events in recent years.

Story by Gulf News

COMMUNITY

Ancient cheetah mummies discovered in Saudi Arabia

Scientists have uncovered the mummified remains of cheetahs from caves in northern Saudi Arabia.

The remains range from 130 years old to over 1,800 years old. Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.

Mummification prevents decay by preserving dead bodies. Egypt’s mummies are the most well-known, but the process can also happen naturally in places like glacier ice, desert sands and bog sludge.

The new large cat mummies have cloudy eyes and shriveled limbs, resembling dried-out husks.

Mummification prevents decay by preserving dead bodies. Egypt’s mummies are the most well-known, but the process can also happen naturally in places like glacier ice, desert sands and bog sludge.

The new large cat mummies have cloudy eyes and shriveled limbs, resembling dried-out husks.

“It’s something that I’ve never seen before,” said Joan Madurell-Malapeira with the University of Florence in Italy, who was not involved with the discovery.

Researchers aren’t sure how exactly these new cats got mummified, but the caves’ dry conditions and stable temperature could have played a role, according to the new study published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth and Environment.

They also don’t know why so many cheetahs were in the caves. It could have been a denning site where mothers birthed and raised their young.

Scientists have uncovered the rare mummified remains of other large cats, including a saber-toothed cat cub in Russia.

It’s uncommon for large mammals to be preserved to this degree. Besides being in the right environment, the carcasses also have to avoid becoming a snack for hungry scavengers like birds and hyenas.

Cheetahs once roamed across most of Africa and parts of Asia, but now live in just 9% of their previous range and haven’t been spotted across the Arabian Peninsula for decades. That’s likely due to habitat loss, unregulated hunting and lack of prey, among other factors.

In a first for naturally mummified large cats, scientists were also able to peek at the cheetahs’ genes and found that the remains were most similar to modern-day cheetahs from Asia and northwest Africa. That information could help with future efforts to reintroduce the cats to places they no longer live.

COMMUNITY

Saudi Arabia fines 10 pharmacies SR1.7 million

the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed fines totalling more than SR1.7 million on 10 pharmacies for violating the Kingdom’s electronic drug tracking system, in a move aimed at strengthening oversight of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The SFDA said the penalties were linked to breaches of the Drug Track and Trace System, known as RSD, which is designed to monitor medicines from the point of manufacture until they reach consumers.

According to the authority, seven of the pharmacies failed to report their drug movements directly through the system. Two others did not list their registered products, regardless of price or consumption levels, while another pharmacy failed to notify authorities of anticipated shortages or supply disruptions at least six months in advance.

The SFDA said the RSD system plays a central role in safeguarding medicine quality and availability, helping to prevent shortages, tampering and the circulation of counterfeit drugs. By tracking products across every stage of the supply chain, the system allows regulators to identify problems early and intervene when necessary.

The authority noted that penalties under the system can apply not only to pharmacies but also to pharmaceutical warehouses and other establishments. Fines can reach up to SR5 million, alongside additional measures such as temporary closures of up to 180 days or the cancellation of operating licences.

Officials said the RSD platform forms part of the SFDA’s broader efforts to adopt advanced technologies in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The system tracks all medicines produced locally or imported into the Kingdom, allowing regulators to verify their origins and monitor their movement until they reach patients.

The authority said the measures are intended to protect public health, ensure a stable supply of medicines and reinforce confidence in the safety of drugs available on the Saudi market.

COMMUNITY

Citrus Festival supports Al-Hareeq farmers

Under the patronage of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the 10th Citrus Festival will launch on Wednesday in Al-Hareeq governorate.

Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the festival aims to support local farmers, promote their products, and enhance food security, while boosting tourism and recreation in line with Vision 2030.

Running for 10 days, the festival seeks to boost national agricultural production, develop farmers’ technical and marketing skills, and highlight Al-Hareeq’s agricultural identity and environmental diversity as a distinctive agricultural and tourist destination.

The ministry said the festival features a wide range of events, most notably a major exhibition bringing together farmers and companies specializing in local citrus, fruits, dates, and honey.

Participating restaurants and cafes will showcase locally sourced produce, alongside innovative initiatives and digital marketing solutions supporting the agricultural sector.

Visitors from within and outside the region are invited to explore local products and enjoy the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.

Previous editions recorded strong commercial activity, high sales, and large visitor turnout, underscoring the festival’s growing regional importance.

SPA