Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Rare Snowfall Hits Baghdad

It's the first time in 100 years—some blame global warming

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2008 1:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Light snow flurries fell on Baghdad today for the first time in about 100 years, AFP reports. Residents were by and large delighted: "Snow falling in Baghdad in such a magnificent scene was beyond my imagination," said one retiree. A local baker agreed: "This snow will bring pleasure to the people of Iraq. It's beautiful!"

A restaurant owner told the AP he'd never seen snow before—and neither had his 80-year-old mother. "I don't know whether or not it's a lesson from God," he said. Snowfall was also reported in western and central Iraq as temperatures plunged, and an Iraqi meteorologist speculated that the snow might be a side effect of global warming.

An Iraqi waits for a bus as he stands under falling snow in Baghdad, 11 January 2008. Baghdadis walked up today on the scene of falling snow which is a rare event to be seen in the capital. (ALI YUSSEF/AFP/Getty Images)
An Iraqi waits for a bus as he stands under falling snow in Baghdad, 11 January 2008. Baghdadis walked up today on the scene of falling snow which is a rare event to be seen in the capital. (ALI YUSSEF/AFP/Getty...   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi man walks under the falling snow early in the morning 11 January 2008 in Baghdad. Baghdadis woke up today to the rare scene of falling snow in the Iraqi capital as a wave of cold hits the region. (ALI YUSSEF/AFP/Getty Images)
An Iraqi man walks under the falling snow early in the morning 11 January 2008 in Baghdad. Baghdadis woke up today to the rare scene of falling snow in the Iraqi capital as a wave of cold hits the region....   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi man and his child enjoy light snow fall in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning, as muezzins were calling the faithful to prayer, the people here awoke...
An Iraqi man and his child enjoy light snow fall in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all....   (Associated Press)
Iraqi men warm themselves by a fire in central Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning, as muezzins were calling the faithful to prayer, the people here awoke to something certifiably...
Iraqi men warm themselves by a fire in central Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning,...   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi man and his child enjoy light snow fall in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning, as muezzins were calling the faithful to prayer, the people here awoke...
An Iraqi man and his child enjoy light snow fall in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all....   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi man wearing a heavy coat against the cold in central Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning, as muezzins were calling the faithful to prayer, the people here awoke...
An Iraqi man wearing a heavy coat against the cold in central Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all....   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi soldier warms himself against the winter chill in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents thought they'd pretty much seen it all. But Friday morning, as muezzins were calling the faithful to...
An Iraqi soldier warms himself against the winter chill in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. After weathering nearly five years of war, Baghdad residents...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
blogagog
Nov 14, 2010 5:22 PM CST
For every hundred places in the world, one will experience a 'once in a hundred years' weather event every single year, on average. Given that there are thousands of places on this planet, we should not consider it odd when dozens of them have freak weather. It has nothing to do with global warming and everything to do with the laws of probability.

More Newser Stories

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

CIA Fills Void in Iraq, Afghanistan

'No Global Warming'? Critics Slam 2 Articles

Iraqis Fume Over US Drone Use

Another Iraqi Blast Kills Dozens


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne