It’s snowing! How a massive cold front changed the global map to winter wonderlands

From New York to Saudi Arabia, snowfall turns landscapes into magical winter wonderlands

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From New York to Saudi Arabia, see how recent snowfall transformed landscapes into magical winter wonderlands
From New York to Saudi Arabia, see how recent snowfall transformed landscapes into magical winter wonderlands
AFP

From New York to Russia, Europe to Srinagar, and even the mountains of Saudi Arabia, recent snowfall has turned landscapes into breathtaking winter wonderlands.

Experience the magic of snow-covered cities, forests, and mountains across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Countries including Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, and Russia have seen picturesque scenes unfold, offering a rare glimpse of nature’s frozen beauty.

Scroll through to enjoy some of the most captivating winter photos from around the globe.

Blizzards batter the US Midwest

A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the U.S., bringing heavy snow, ice and strong winds from the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast, while a sharp cold front triggers severe weather in the South. Snowfall near Lake Superior could top two feet, with whiteout conditions making travel dangerous. The storm follows days of record warmth, with temperatures now plunging as frigid northern air collides with lingering southern heat, disrupting travel and reshaping landscapes nationwide.

Children and adults sled in the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
People walk through the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
Children and adults sled in the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
Children sled in the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
A general view of snow-covered seats are seen inside Yankee Stadium prior to the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Clemson Tigers during the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
People walk through the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
Geese fly as people walk across the Bow Bridge in a snow-covered Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
People walk in the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
A person walks through a snow-covered Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
People walk in the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
The Women's Rights Pioneers Monument is covered in snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
A person looks at the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
A person looks at the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025.
A woman plays with snow during a snowfall in Times Square on December 26, 2025, in New York City.

Walking through a world of ice

Winter magic arrives in North Woodstock as the Ice Castles open, welcoming visitors into a hand-carved world of shimmering caverns and winding tunnels. Built from thousands of icicles, the glowing, LED-lit passageways offer a true peak winter experience.

People explore the caverns and tunnels of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
People explore the ice paths and caverns of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A person explores one of the ice trails of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
People look up at the ice ceiling of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A person explores an ice path of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A person explores an ice path of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A person walks through one of the ice tunnels of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A couple has fun taking photos inside the caverns and snow of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
A person explores an ice path of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.
People explore the caverns and tunnels of the Ice Castles during the opening day in North Woodstock, New Hampshire on December 27, 2025.

Saudi Arabia’s snowy escape

Snowfall in Tabuk and the Trojena Mountains turned the region into a winter playground, with residents skiing, playing, and capturing the rare icy scenes. White blankets on rugged slopes contrasted sharply with the Kingdom’s usual desert climate, revealing Saudi Arabia’s striking and diverse landscapes.

Winter wonderland: Saudi peaks covered in snow
Snowfall transforms Saudi mountains into a winter paradise
Unexpected snowfall brings skiing to northern Saudi Arabia.
The Trojena Highlands turn white, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s diverse and dramatic landscapes.
A leading Saudi astronomer said such snowfall events are not unusual during the winter months.
Snowfall covers the Trojena Highlands, transforming Saudi Arabia’s rugged terrain into a winter landscape.
SPA
SPA
SPA

Himachal sees festive tourism surge

Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh are bustling as tourists escape Delhi’s pollution. Manali and Kullu attract crowds at Hadimba Temple, Mall Road, and Rohtang Pass, while Shimla braces for a winter rush with near-full hotel occupancy and the Winter Carnival. Pleasant weather and snowfall prospects are drawing visitors from across India, boosting the state’s tourism.IANS

Hotels in Gulmarg see full occupancy as New Year revellers throng Kashmir
Minimum temperature rises above zero in J&K’s Srinagar; cold wave grips Gulmarg, Pahalgam
Minimum temperature slips below zero in Gulmarg, Pahalgam; rises in J&K’s Srinagar
Season’s first snowfall enlivens Kashmir; Gulmarg awaits Christmas, New Year eve revellers
Kashmir receives season’s first snowfall in higher reaches; rain in plains after 3-month dry spell
Intense cold wave continues in Kashmir; no forecast for snowfall
Intense cold wave sweeps across Kashmir; no forecast for snowfall till mid Dec

China turns into a winter wonderland

Northern China’s Shenyang in Liaoning province transformed into a sparkling winter scene as recent snowfall blanketed streets, trees, and rooftops in white. Locals and tourists captured the icy landscapes, where frozen branches glistened under soft sunlight, turning the city into a picturesque winter wonderland.

View of the White Snow House at the Enduri Cultural and Tourism Leisure Block in Erdaobaihe, Jilin Province, China, on December 21, 2025.
View of Changbai Mountain Edelweiss Reindeer Park, in Changbai, Jilin Province, China, on December 21, 2025.
View of snowmen in front of the Changbai Mountain Edelweiss Reindeer Park, in Changbai, Jilin Province, China, on December 21, 2025.
People fish through the ice during snowfall in Shenyang, northern China's Liaoning province on December 23, 2025.
View of the White Snow House at the Enduri Cultural and Tourism Leisure Block in Erdaobaihe, Jilin Province, China, on December 21, 2025.
A man fishes through the ice during snowfall in Shenyang, northern China's Liaoning province on December 23, 2025.
A winter swimming enthusiast participates in a winter swimming event at the Shenshuiwan park in Liaoning, northeastern China's Liaoning province, on December 25, 2025.

Strong winds disrupt northern Sweden

Strong winds hit Vasterbotten and northern mountain areas near Hemavan on December 27, 2025, causing travel and local disruptions. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to exercise caution.

Strong winds hits Vasterbotten and the northern mountain areas at Hemavan in Sweden, causing disruptions on December 27, 2025.
Strong winds blow at Idre mountains as storm Johannes moves in over northern Sweden causing disruptions on December 27, 2025.
A woman and child make their way with their luggage at the train station in Are as storm Johannes moves in over northern Sweden causing cancelled departures on December 27, 2025.
Sweden's Sebastian Samuelsson (R) competes during the men's 15km mass start event of the IBU Biathlon World Cup, in Le Grand Bornand, near Annecy, southeastern France, on December 21, 2025.
Visitors stroll past a giant Nutcracker figure and snow-covered Christmas trees at the Christmas market in Liseberg Park in Gothenburg, Sweden, on December 22, 2025, a few ahead of the Christmas holidays.

Heavy snowfall blankets Ukraine

Ukraine experienced heavy snowfall, disrupting transport and daily activities across several regions. Authorities have issued warnings for motorists and urged residents to take precautions as snow accumulation continues.

This photograph shows portraits of Ukrainian military members covered in snow by a Christmas tree at the Memorial for the Fallen Ukrainian and Foreign Fighters on the Independence Square in Kyiv on December 26, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A father and his daughter ride a carousel during the Christmas Fair at Ukrainian National Exhibition Center in Kyiv on December 21, 2025, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine.
This photograph shows a decorative train carrying visitors at a Christmas Fair at the Ukrainian National Exhibition Center in Kyiv on December 21, 2025, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine.
A Ukrainian member an Azov Brigade drone team - callsign Sava, 21 - launches a surveillance drone towards Russian positions, in the direction of Toretsk, eastern Donetsk region, on February 4, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In this handout photograph taken on December 16, 2025 and released on December 17, 2025 by the press service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Ukrainian soldiers operate near the frontline town of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Freezing temperatures grip Germany

A cold wave has swept across Germany, bringing freezing temperatures and frost to many regions.

A man tries out the temporary Eisbach wave in the English Garden in Munich, Germany, Friday Dec. 26, 2025.
People drive up to the top of the Feldberg mountain near Frankfurt, Germany, to join the traditional Christmas Eve meeting of tractor and motorbike drivers early Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.
Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann competes in the women's downhill race part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2025-2026, in Val d'Isere, south western France, on December 20, 2025.
The European Central Bank is seen near the river Main in Frankfurt, Germany, early Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
People visit the Christmas market outside the banking district in central Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on December 17, 2025.

Heavy snow draws tourists to Switzerland


Heavy snowfall in Switzerland has transformed ski resorts and paragliding sites into winter wonderlands, attracting large numbers of tourists eager to enjoy the seasonal sports and festivities. Authorities have urged visitors to follow safety guidelines amid the busy conditions.

A paraglider soars above a sea of fog over the low-altitude resort of Leysin, western Switzerland on December 27, 2025.
Paragliders soar above a sea of fog over the low-altitude resort of Leysin, western Switzerland on December 27, 2025.
Switzerland’s Jasmina Sutter competes in the women's Super G event during the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2025-2026, in Val d'Isere, southwestern France, on December 21, 2025.
A photo shows a cordoned-off training ground during a drone countermeasure demonstration by Swiss Army in Hinterrhein, south-eastern Switzerland, on December 17, 2025.
An autonomous defence drone flies through the test area during a drone countermeasure demonstration by Swiss Army in Hinterrhein, south-eastern Switzerland, on December 17, 2025.
An autonomous defence drone flies through the test area during a drone countermeasure demonstration by Swiss Army in Hinterrhein, south-eastern Switzerland, on December 17, 2025.
New Zealand's Alice Robinson competes in the women's downhill race part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2025-2026, in St Moritz, south-eastern Switzerland on December 12, 2025.

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