Did it snow in Dubai after Sheikh Hamdan’s viral post? / Image: @faz3
Imagine waking up, looking out your window in Dubai, and seeing the Burj Khalifa draped in a blanket of fresh, powdery snow. That was the dream His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (lovingly known as Fazza), shared with his millions of followers this Thursday. His Highness, who is basically Dubai’s unofficial “Chief Storyteller,” posted a viral image that looked like a scene straight out of a Disney movie, except the “Castle” was a world-famous skyscraper.While the photo was a creative “what if,” it perfectly captured the mood of a city currently obsessed with the cold. The caption by His Highness, “how the weather will feel tomorrow,” was a cheeky nod to the freezing winds currently whistling through the city’s glass towers.
Dubai: A winter wonderland
While we aren’t exactly skiing down Sheikh Zayed Road just yet, the “Real Feel” temperature in the UAE is getting pretty close to the vision shared by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan. This week, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported that the mercury hit a bone-chilling 0.2°C on Jebel Jais.For a city built for 45°C summers, this cold snap has changed the way we live:
- The “Karak” Run: Sales of hot tea have spiked as residents swap their iced lattes for steaming cups of ginger-infused Karak.
- Fashion Forward: The “Dubai Winter” look is officially here, leather jackets, hoodies, and pashminas are replacing the usual linen and light cottons.
- Outdoor Overload: Parks like Al Mamzar and Mushrif are packed with families enjoying the rare weather that doesn’t involve sweating.
Reality behind the snow
The viral image itself is a masterclass in digital art, likely utilizing AI or high-level editing to show the world what Dubai would look like as a Nordic capital. It’s part of a larger trend where His Highness Sheikh Hamdan uses his platform to highlight the beauty and seasonal shifts of the city in a fun, relatable way.However, the weather scientists at the NCM remind us that while the photo is a fantasy, the Siberian High Pressure system is very real. These winds are pushing clouds across the country and keeping the sun from heating up the desert floor, making this one of the most sustained cold periods the UAE has seen in years. The NCM has even issued warnings about fierce winds, reminding everyone that this winter “nip” has some real power behind it.There is something about a cold morning that brings a community together. Whether it’s sharing a viral post from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan or huddling together at a weekend desert camp, the “Fazza Snow” photo has become a cultural moment. It reminds us that even in a city of sand and sun, there’s always room for a little winter magic. So, go ahead, wear that heavy coat you bought for your last trip to London. This week, you actually need it.
