Huge snow event in Cairo and Jersualem - over 100 years since in snowed in Cairo

[malaise]

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-snow-israel-egypt-20131213,0,1691393.story
<snip>
Snow coated domes and minarets Friday as a record Middle East 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.

Nearly three feet of snow closed roads in and out of Jerusalem, which is set in high hills, and thousands in and around the city were left without power. Israeli soldiers and police rescued hundreds trapped in their cars by snow and ice. In the West Bank, the branches of olive trees groaned under the weight of snow.

In Cairo, where local news reports said the last recorded snowfall was more than 100 years ago, children in outlying districts capered in white-covered streets, and adults marveled at the sight, tweeting pictures of snow-dusted parks and squares. In other parts of the city, rain and hail rocketed down.

In Israel, where the storm was described as the heaviest December snowfall since 1953, thick clouds temporarily closed Ben-Gurion International Airport, causing the diversion of two international flights to Cyprus. Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat, likened the storm to a snow tsunami.
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Freaking wow!

[malaise]

1. Great pics - particularly the little Palestinian buy with the snowman

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-wn-snow-middle-east-pictures,0,508696.photogallery?index=la-wn-snow-middle-east-pictures-004

[truedelphi]

2. I had access to several books written by naturalists about Palestine circa 1940's

And 1950's.

I don't know about Cairo, but it snowed regularly in hills of Palestine during 1940's and 1950's.

I think Cairo is at sea level, and so it might be remarkable to have it snow there, but snow in hillsides in the Israeli regions would not be that unusual.

[malaise]

3. The experts say the last snow in Cairo was 112 years ago

Israel and Palestine haven't had snow since 1953 but you;re right - it used to snow in the hills.