Saudi Arabia Marks Peak of Winter with 26-Day Al-Shabat Season

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has transitioned from the 40-day Al-Marbaniyah period into Al-Shabat, the second and most severe phase of winter. According to Mohammed Al-Hazimi of the astronomy and space club, this astronomical shift was marked today, January 15, by the rising of the star Altair, shortened from Arabic al-nasr al-tair "the flying eagle," in the eastern sky before dawn.

 While the previous weeks were characterized by calm winds, Al-Shabat is known for its volatile, freezing gusts and a sharp drop in temperatures that define the peak of the regional winter.

 This 26-day period is nicknamed "bard al-batin" (the belly of cold) because the chill is felt deep within the body. Historically, the weather is so unforgiving that it is associated with "al-aziraq" (the blue cold), a reference to the frost-bitten hue of the skin. Bedouin heritage colorfully conveys the severity of Al-Shabat through idioms such as "the season that makes the fox weep" and "the one that makes the camel’s nose bleed," highlighting the physical toll the harsh frost takes on desert wildlife and livestock.