These Pictures Show Something Locals Say Hasn't Happened in More Than 100 Years

A rare snowstorm is pounding the Middle East, dropping snow on Cairo for what locals say is the first time in more than 100 years.

The exact number of years since it last snowed in Cairo has not yet been confirmed, but it is agreed that the event is extremely rare. TheBlaze reached out to the International Activities Office of the National Weather Service, but did not receive an immediate response.

But according to The Weather Channel, "given its desert climate, precipitation of any kind is a rarity in Cairo. The city averages less than an inch of rain each year."

Locals were understandably shocked and excited by the frosty development, and took to social media in droves to share the news:

Image source: Twitter/@AmrElGabry

Image source: Twitter/@MihooSalem

Image source: Twitter/@TheBigPharaoh

Image source: Twitter/@RanyaKhalifa

Image source: Twitter/@RADIORMT

Some are also posting humorous comments about the significance of the event:

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/abumuqawama/status/411486830391869441"]

(Photo: Twitter/@AmrElGabry)

Snow has also blanketed areas outside Cairo, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula:

A picture shows snow in the Egyptian town of Madinaty, 40 kilometers east of Cairo, on Dec. 13, 2013. (STR STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Snow covers the scene in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, some 400 kilmeters southeast of Cairo on Dec. 13, 2013. (AFP photo/STR -/AFP/Getty Images)

Jerusalem has also seen uncharacteristic snowfall, marking the heaviest in 50 years, according to the Israeli Weather Service:

Snow covers the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Dec. 12, 2013 in Jerusalem's old city. (Getty Images/Uriel Sinai)

Two Palestinian women play with snow outside Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. Early snow has surprised many Israelis and Palestinians as a blustery storm, dubbed Alexa, brought gusty winds, torrential rains and heavy snowfall to parts of the Middle East. (AP/Mahmoud Illean)

Israeli children play in the snow on December 12, 2013 outside Jerusalem's old city, Israel. (Getty Images/Uriel Sinai)

While many are delighted by the first snowfall in decades, there is also grave concern for the displaced Syrian refugees living in temporary homes in the region.

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