In wacky weather news, Cairo was slammed with a winter storm today, leaving over a foot of the white stuff all over the city.

Jerusalem also received the storm’s wrath, as more than three feet of snow was dumped out on the city, trapping hundreds in their vehicles and leaving thousands without power.

Getting rain in these parts is rare – Cairo receives less than an inch each year – let alone snow. In fact, no one really knows just how long it has been since Cairo saw snow, as historical records are difficult to ascertain.

However, Jerusalem isn’t as much of a stranger to winter weather; it receives snow of more than six inches about every five to seven years. At least every two to three years it sees some sort of snow.

Although some are enjoying the snow, it has also created hardships for many. The Israeli Defense Forces has been called into help, and the cold temperatures and harsh snow have made conditions even more unbearable for Syrian refugees who are living in Lebanon in makeshift tents and abandoned buildings.

The snow has shut down most of the airports in the area and was the cause of two major flights being diverted. Additionally, most of the towns in the storm’s wake are immobilized.

Adding insult to injury, another major storm is set to strike, possibly pounding the area with even more snow Friday night into Saturday. The storm could be three times the size of what just passed through.

Folks flocked to Twitter to discuss the storm:

Biblical snowstorm: Rare flakes in Cairo, Jerusalem paralyzed by over a foot: http://t.co/ZDoTKNHTu0

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) December 13, 2013

IN PICTURES: As #Jerusalem is locked down by a rare snowstorm, mayor calls out the army to help stranded motorists http://t.co/QLgUgfdT5n

— AJELive (@AJELive) December 14, 2013

Shoutout to my Arab people #Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/xcw6zqWQx9

— YoungChampagne (@YoungChampagneV) December 14, 2013

Snow blankets Cairo for first time in more than 100 years, paralyzes Jerusalem http://t.co/LkLD58FCJI

— Jeff Verszyla (@Verz) December 14, 2013

Snowfall in the middle east? Shots of rare snow fall in Cairo and Jerusalem http://t.co/jBFSbjUpJ7

— hema (@hema92401688) December 14, 2013

Hey @algore, It's snowing in Cairo & Jerusalem, 6ft of snow in NY, record lows in the Arctic, and winter storms in the Midwest. Say what?

— BMiles (@BMiles865) December 14, 2013

Image via Wikimedia Commons