The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center has announced that winter will enter a new climatic stage known as the “Shabat season” beginning on January 14, marking one of the coldest and most distinctive periods of the year.
This phase is expected to continue for 26 days and is traditionally associated with sharp drops in temperature and visible seasonal changes.
In a statement, the Center explained that this period is characterized by the appearance of frost and a gradual shift in daylight patterns, as daytime begins to gain minutes at the expense of the night, reports Al-Rai daily.
This natural transition occurs as the Earth steadily moves closer to the spring equinox, bringing subtle but noticeable changes to daily light cycles.
The Center also pointed out that Shabat includes a particularly harsh cold spell known locally as “Al-Aziraq,” which lasts for eight nights. This phase is known for its piercing cold and clear skies, with the name derived from the bluish tone the sky takes on, as well as the bluish hue that can appear on the skin due to the intensity of the cold.
According to the Center, Al-Aziraq is accompanied by strong northerly winds that further lower temperatures, making it one of the most challenging periods of winter. This severe cold wave is expected to begin on January 24 and continue for eight consecutive nights.
The statement added that similar descriptions are used in other countries, where the period is sometimes referred to as “the blue cold” or “the belly cold,” reflecting the depth of chill felt during these days.
The Shabat season is widely regarded as the peak of winter, and its days are traditionally divided into two phases linked to two stars, each lasting 13 days.
