[PHOTOS] Snow Blankets Egypt For The First Time In Over 100 Years
Snow coated domes and minarets Friday as a record Mideast storm compounded the suffering of Syrian refugees, sent the Israeli army scrambling to dig out stranded motorists and gave Egyptians a rare glimpse of snow in their capital.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Dec 2013, 03:01 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
The city averages less than an inch of rain each year, and hundreds stopped their walk to work or school to snap pictures of the falling flakes, tweeting their delights.
A snowstorm of rare intensity blanketed the Jerusalem area and parts of the occupied West Bank on Friday, choking off the city and stranding hundreds in vehicles on impassable roads
A woman swims in the pool at the David Citadel Hotel during a snowstorm in Jerusalem Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
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Snow covers the West Bank village of Seelat Al-Daher near Jenin city, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
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Palestinians move the snow from there home roof in the West Bank village of Seelat Al-Daher near Jenin city, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comWestern Wall and the Dome of the Rock, some of the holiest sites for for Jews and Muslims, are covered in snow in Jerusalem
Early snow has surprised many Israelis and Palestinians as a blustery storm, dubbed Alexa, brought gusty winds, torrential rains and heavy snowfall to parts of the Middle East.
Image via huffpost.comIn Jerusalem, local media reported that schools and roads were closed, and transport suspended after four inches of snow - the most since 1953
"Last week, the chief rabbis asked Jews around the world to pray for rain in Israel since winter had begun with a dry spell," Jewish online magazine Tablet reported. "Apparently, it worked."
Palestinians play with the snow in the West Bank village of Seelat Al-Daher near Jenin city, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comPalestinian and Israeli children shaped clusters into snowmen across the divided capital, with boys shrieking with delight as they put the finishing touches to a frosty man outside the gold-domed Al Aqsa mosque.
A Palestinian girl makes a snowman in the West Bank village of Seelat Al-Daher near Jenin city, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comSnow, sleet and icy winds have covered Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, deepening the troubles of many war refugees, living in freezing tents. Many have melted snow on their stoves, their only source of drinking water.
A Syrian refugee man removes snow from the roof of his tent in a camp for Syrians who fled their countrys civil war, in the Bekaa valley, eastern Lebanon, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013.
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Two Syrian youths carry mattresses to a refugee centre in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek in the snow-covered Bekaa Valley on December 12, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comThousands of Syrian refugees living in makeshift camps in Lebanon were weathering a winter storm that brought snow, rain and freezing temperatures to the country.
A Syrian refugee shovels snow following a storm in the town of Arsal in the Lebanese Bekaa valley on December 12, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comThe UNHCR has prepared stockpiles of items including plastic sheeting, floor mats, blankets and mattresses to help refugees whose shelters might be flooded or destroyed by the storm.
A young Syrian plays with snow following a storm in the town of Arsal in the Lebanese Bekaa valley on December 12, 2013.
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Syrian refugees play with snow at the makeshift refugee camp of Terbol near the Bekaa Valley town of Zahleh in eastern Lebanon on December 11, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comLebanese authorities are mobilising to help Syrian refugees living in makeshift camps during winter, as storm 'Alexa' brings several days of rain, snow and a steep drop in temperatures in the east Mediterranean country where tens of thousands of Syrian refugees are living in dire conditions.
Jordanians play with the snow at the University of Jordan's circle during a snowstorm in Amman, Jordan, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013.
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Jordanians play with the snow in an open field during a snowstorm in Amman, Jordan, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013.
Image via huffpost.comBaalbek's temples are pictured on December 11, 2013 as the Roman ruins of the historic town in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley were covered with snow, following a fierce storm.
A winter weather front is forecast to bring several days of rain and snow for the region, and a steep drop in temperature.
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