In the morning, as the shrill alarm pierced the quiet of my room, I begrudgingly woke up, bracing myself for another routine day at the office. Baghdad’s winters usually meant chilly mornings, but today was different. The digital display on my phone read -1°C, though it felt closer to -4°C. Curiosity piqued, I hurried to the balcony wrapped snugly in wool, and what I saw took my breath away — snowflakes gently cascading from the sky.

It was a surreal sight, one that hadn’t graced the city in over a decade. The familiar skyline of Baghdad, draped in a blanket of snow, was a stark contrast to its usual bustling self. The palm trees, usually symbols of the city’s resilience, now stood adorned in white. Even the cars parked on the streets looked unfamiliar, covered in a delicate layer of fresh snow.

Snow in Baghdad was a rarity, reserved mainly for the northern mountainous regions. I recalled vividly the last significant snowfall, a quick and slushy affair back in 2008, coincidentally also on the 11th of January. And here we were again, witnessing nature’s whimsy on the same date.

Delving into historical records, I learned that Baghdad’s climate anomalies were not unheard of. Arabic historians chronicled unexpected weather events centuries ago — from frost and heavy rains to extraordinary snowfalls. Reports dating back to as early as the 9th century documented instances of snow accumulation that would surprise even today’s meteorologists.

One entry, dated December 23, 908, described roofs adorned with “four fingers of snow,” while another from November 25, 1007, reported snow depths ranging between 30 to 50 inches. Even more intriguing was an account from July 920, when the city experienced an unseasonable cold spell, attributed possibly to a volcanic eruption the previous year..

As I sipped my tea that morning, contemplating these historical curiosities, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization issued forecasts of a polar air mass settling over the region, promising a further drop in temperatures. The wind, dry and biting, carried whispers of uncertainty — would it snow again tomorrow?

Amid these reflections, one thing became clear: Baghdad, with its rich tapestry of history and resilience, had once again surprised us with its capacity to defy expectations.

The snowfall was not just a meteorological event; it was a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the city’s enduring spirit in the face of the extraordinary.

As I returned indoors, leaving behind the snowy balcony and the hushed streets, I couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises Baghdad held, tucked away in its storied past and uncertain future. For now, I cherished the quiet beauty of this rare snow day, a memory etched against the backdrop of an ancient city, forever evolving yet steadfast in its identity.