KUWAIT CITY: Temperatures in Kuwait have plunged to freezing lows, with some areas recording their first sub-zero temperatures of the winter season.

The Kuwait Meteorological Department has issued a warning about a “significant drop” in temperatures, with lows reaching below 3°C in several parts of the country. The coldest period is expected between 3 am to 8 am, particularly in desert areas.

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On Monday morning, Salmi recorded a bone-chilling -3°C, the first temperature below zero this winter. In Mitriba, near Abdaly, temperatures hit 0°C, while Abdaly and Manageesh recorded 2°C. In Ahmadi and Warba Island, the mercury dropped to 3°C, while other areas ranged between 4°C to 7°C. Daytime highs on Monday hovered between 13°C to 17°C, according to the weather office.

Meteorologists attribute the freeze to a high-pressure system bringing in a cold, dry air mass and light to moderate northwesterly winds. This has caused severe cooling in the upper atmosphere, resulting in frost formation in agricultural and desert areas. The chill is expected to last until Thursday, with temperatures remaining low at night.

By Friday evening, the high-pressure system is predicted to weaken as a low-pressure system takes over, bringing warmer southeasterly winds. This shift is expected to trigger light scattered showers over the weekend, offering some respite from the biting cold.

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Residents, especially those in desert and agricultural regions, are advised to prepare for frosty conditions during the early morning hours. With temperatures this low, authorities are urging caution to protect crops, livestock, and outdoor workers.

The sudden cold snap highlights the unpredictable nature of Kuwait’s winter, with temperatures capable of swinging from freezing lows to milder highs in just days.