When will the Siberian High begin to affect the Levant?

Arab Weather - The Siberian High is one of the most prominent winter weather systems affecting the climate of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, reaching eastern parts of Europe. This massive high forms over the cold Siberian lands at the end of autumn and during the winter months as a result of the extreme drop in temperatures in those regions, which leads to a rise in atmospheric pressure in the region.

What is the Siberian High?

The Siberian High is a large-scale high-pressure system that forms over Siberia during the winter due to the extreme cold of the Earth's surface. As temperatures drop significantly, the weight and density of the air increase, leading to a rise in atmospheric pressure and the formation of this powerful, extended high. It is one of the coldest and most powerful weather systems in the Northern Hemisphere, directly affecting the climate of Asia and sometimes extending to the Middle East and Europe, bringing cold, dry winds and a significant drop in temperatures.

How does the Siberian High occur?

The Siberian High is formed as a result of strong and continuous cooling of the Earth's surface in Siberia during the winter months, which causes the air in contact with the surface to cool and become denser, causing the atmospheric pressure in the lower layers to rise.
But perhaps the most significant factor is what happens in the upper layers of the atmosphere. The surface high is reinforced by a strong upper high that forms above the same region, stabilizing the cold air below and preventing it from rising. This interaction between the upper high and the surface cold is what makes the Siberian High a massive, stable weather system with a long-lasting effect.

Are there any signs of its impact on the Levant?

There are no clear indications yet of the Siberian high's impact on the Levant, as it remains centered far to the east over Siberia. Its actual impact typically begins toward the end of autumn and the onset of winter, when colder air masses intensify across the Asian mainland and its westward extension strengthens. In that case, it may contribute to the rush of cold, dry winds toward the region or to the strengthening of high-pressure systems that bring periods of temporary stability.
In other words, its potential impact on the Levant depends on how far it expands westward over the coming weeks as the cold deepens in Siberia.