Arabian Peninsula enters 13-day cold spell

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in the Arabian Peninsula have entered a 13-day cold spell during which temperatures will dip to their lowest levels in the year and some areas are likely to suffer from frost and fog, a Saudi newspaper reported on Thursday.

The spell started on Wednesday and is expected to continue for 13 days, Ajel Arabic language daily said, adding that the spell happens at the same time every year.

“This spell is locally dubbed Shoola, which refers to the name of a star…it is called Shoola because the star looks like a scorpion,” the paper said, quoting Mohammed al Qabbani, a well known Saudi astronomer.

“This period is characterized by bitter cold and fog…some areas in the region also suffer from frost,” he said.

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