A historic snowstorm covered the Levant coasts with snow 70 years ago (watch the video)

Arab Weather - The memories of the Levant's inhabitants still retain the exceptional scenes of snowstorms that blanketed the cities and villages of the eastern Mediterranean basin over the past century. Some seasons witnessed heavy snowfall, reaching low altitudes and even the coasts. These rare weather events reshaped daily life and left significant impacts on the population, agriculture, and infrastructure.

The historic blizzard of 1950

In February 1950, Palestine and the Levant were hit by an unusually strong snowstorm, with snow falling on coastal areas and even on the sea itself—a very rare sight in weather records. The northern and central Jordan Valley also experienced snowfall and accumulation for the first time in decades.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was also affected by a similar cold air mass at the beginning of the same year, causing snowfall in various regions. That winter was one of the most violent ever, resulting in hundreds of refugee casualties following the 1948 Nakba due to the extreme cold and lack of shelter.

The Great Blizzard of 1992

The winter of 1991/1992 is considered one of the harshest in the Levant. Snowfall occurred several times, but the most notable occurred between February 24 and 26, 1992. This was when a very cold polar air mass from Siberia pushed toward the eastern Mediterranean, causing a severe snowstorm that covered much of Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. In the capital, Amman, the snow depth reached 120 cm in some neighborhoods, such as Sweileh, while the snow exceeded 3 meters in height in the Shara Mountains in southern Jordan.

Effects of the snowstorm on Jordan

Temperatures in some southern areas dropped to 15° below zero.

Water pipes froze and burst, cutting off water to thousands of homes.

Extensive losses in agricultural and livestock wealth and the death of large numbers of livestock.

Severe shortage of basic foodstuffs such as bread due to road closures.

Major roads will be completely closed for several days due to heavy snow accumulation.