2013 Middle East Cold Snap, Alexa Winter Storm, Cairo, Egypt

Meteorological history
Beginning December 11, a strong ridge in the jet stream caused a big anticyclone over Europe; its east edge drew a strong current of cold air south from the Arctic. This polar outbreak overspread Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean region, pushing below moist air associated with a passing front, causing heavy snow and sleet over higher elevations in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. At lower elevations, heavy rain from the system caused flooding in some areas.