– The 40-day Al-Murabaniyah, or the season of biting cold, is expected to begin in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 7 and will continue until Jan. 14, according to a prominent weather expert. Abdul Aziz Al-Hussaini, researcher in weather and climate sciences and a member of the Committee for Nomenclature of Distinguished Climatic Conditions in Saudi Arabia, stated that the 40-day period, which is known as Al-Murabaniyah, will begin this year on Dec. 7 (Jamad Al-Awwal 3, 1443), which is the date of the actual beginning of the winter season, and will end on Jan. 14, 2022 (Jamad Al-Akher 11). Speaking to Al-Arabiya.net, Al-Hussaini said that the actual beginning of the astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere is from Dec. 21 (Jamad Al-Awwal 17). Al-Murabaniyah, which begins with Winter Solstice, is a period of intense cold that lasts 40 days. Specifically, it is the period extending from Dec. 22 to Jan. 31. This period is characterized by severe cold with the chances of frequent snowfall. The weather remains the coldest during this period with the daytime temperatures dipping drastically. Al-Hussaini said these days will witness the earliest time to enter the noon prayer during the year when the sun heads toward the south on its way to the Tropic of Capricorn, which means the shortest day time and the longest night time. The temperatures decrease due to the shorter stay of the sun, he said.