http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/cairo-snow_n_4441049.html

Snow has also caused chaos in the middle east in parts of jerusalem. 

Excellent

I mean; first texas and north mexico, then bethlehem, newzealand (screw the fact its summer) and now Cairo?! Its like everywhere in the world is getting it except us. 

This one is jerusalem

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/12/rare-snowfall-shuts-down-jerusalem-blankets-cairo.html

this is, in effect,  the remnants of our failed northerly - the sceuro block forcing the cold pool further and further se. 

Even if we get northerly we get nothing out from it and just sunny and a bit of a boring frost.   Amazing to see Cairo with snow as it look powdery as there no trace of dampness that usually start with rain then turning to snow so over there must had snow from start to end.

1m possible in Jerusalem tonight and already so in Amman as well.

Taken the words out of my mouth almost. Great post.

Snow and cold in the Middle East is a very bad sign for anyone wanting snow and ice here.

To get snow and ice in the Middle East means we're at the wrong end of the high so to speak.

I saw some of these pictures in today's papers and when I saw this - I couldn't help think mmmmmmmm

Bad sign for anyone wanting a cold spell here.

But of course - things could change.

I can't see it happening this winter if N America and Middle east getting cold that early that may be very frequent the remaining of the winter months.  If you have a vacation leave for Jan or Feb best to book it for abroad.  I also have another trip line up for June 2014 to be in Chicago for another heat and thunderstorms fix.  It least last summer was good when I stayed here.

Good point - the thing is - To get cold being advected into the Middle East like this means that there is a huge high pressure to the west - The Middle East is on the "cold side" of the high whilst us lot are on the "mild side" of the high.

I hate to use the word - but it's symptomatic of a Bartlett High .

I do recall one very mild winter we had in the late 1990s  - In Israel they were sweeping the snow away from the wailing wall whilst us lot here in Britain were waiting for the daffodils to come out and this was in January.