The United Arab Emirates recorded snowfall for the first time in its history in late December 2004, with accumulations blanketing the Al-Jees mountain range in Ras al-Khaimah, the federation's northernmost emirate. The mountains, sitting at roughly 1,737 meters above sea level, experienced heavy overnight snowfall across two consecutive nights, with temperatures dipping to minus 5 degrees Celsius.
The unusual weather was part of a broader cold snap gripping the country. Temperatures in Dubai dropped to 12 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, a sharp contrast to the city's summer highs, which can reach 50 degrees Celsius.
Heavy rain accompanied the cold spell. Dubai received 12.6 millimeters of rainfall on Monday alone, contributing to a three-day downpour that led police to report 500 road accidents within a 24-hour period, including one fatality.
Dubai airport's meteorology department indicated the cold weather would likely ease by the following week.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in December 2004, in its own words.