Normally, when we talk about snow, we refer to places like the poles or the high altitude areas of the Iberian Peninsula. However, thinking about a snowy landscape in the Sahara desert It is almost unimaginable. But the unimaginable can become reality, and one of those exceptional moments occurred on January 7, 2018, when the inhabitants of Ain Sefra, an Algerian city, woke up to find their usual surroundings of orange sand covered in a blanket of white.
This phenomenon was preceded by a Weather alert issued by the Algerian meteorological service, which predicted snowfall in the western part of the country. Those who lived in Ain Sefra were accustomed to an arid climate, with an average January temperature of approximately 12,4 degrees Celsius and annual rainfall of barely 169 mm of water per square meter. This is why the sight of snow in such a hot desert was so striking.
The town of Ain Sefra is located at an altitude of around 2018 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest locations in the Sahara. The XNUMX snowfall, which reached between 10 to 15 centimeters thick, was the result of a cold air current moving in from the Mediterranean Sea, creating perfect conditions for snowfall. This hadn't happened since February 1979, meaning that snowfall in Ain Sefra is an extremely rare event in the desert's recent history. For more details on the history of snowfall, see our post on curiosities about snow.
The photographs taken by the premises Zinnadine Hashas They captured the wonder of this phenomenon, showing how the snow transformed the desert landscape into a visual spectacle. The accumulated snow covered the characteristic dunes of the Sahara, offering a striking image of what is generally an arid and hot environment.
The Nature of the Sahara Desert
El Sahara desert It's one of the driest and hottest places on the planet, but its climate is more variable than you might expect. During the day, temperatures can reach extreme levels due to intense solar radiation that heats the sand, while at night, temperatures drop dramatically. This combination of extreme heat during the day and intense cold at night creates a temperature range that can allow snow to form under certain conditions, which you can read more about in our curiosities of winter.
The reason why despite being a desert, you can sometimes find snow, is due to the combination of cold winds that bring humidity from the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. These winds interact with the colder nighttime temperatures in high-altitude areas like Ain Sefra and, when conditions are right, allow precipitation in the form of snow. To better understand this phenomenon, it's a good idea to read about the jet stream which influences climatic conditions.
A similar phenomenon occurred in December 2016 and January 2017, where snowfall was also reported in other parts of the Sahara, showing that snow is not completely foreign to this region. However, the 2018 snowfall in Ain Sefra was particularly notable for the amount of snow that accumulated, a situation unseen in nearly four decades. Snowfall in the Sahara is becoming a more common, though still rare, event.
Impact of Climate Change
The phenomenon of snow in the Sahara Desert raises important questions about the impact of climate change in the world's weather conditions. As the global climate changes, snowfall in historically arid regions is becoming more frequent. Climate experts point out that global warming may be creating conditions conducive to the more common occurrence of extreme weather events, such as snowfall in the Sahara.
An example of this can be seen in North Africa, where changes in temperature and humidity have been recorded over the years. In particular, recent studies have shown that areas of the Sahara, such as the Atlas Mountains, can experience sub-zero temperatures in winter, making snow possible. During recent winters, temperatures in some areas of the Sahara have dropped to unusual levels, with reports suggesting ground temperatures have reached as low as -17°C. For more information on these climate changes, see the article on .
This snow phenomenon is not only a meteorological curiosity, but also has a significant impact on the local ecosystemSnow can affect flora and fauna, as well as rainfall and temperature patterns in the region. Furthermore, climate change could be transforming the environment in ways we don't yet fully understand, necessitating further research into phenomena like snowfall in the Sahara.
The History of Snowfall in the Sahara
Since meteorological records began in the region, they have been documented in the years 1979, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021. This cycle of snowfall has led many to wonder if these events will become more common in the future. It is important to further investigate the causes behind these rare snowfalls and how climate change could be influencing the frequency and intensity of these phenomena. For those interested in more details, there is a dedicated article on the .
In recent years, the media has documented how local communities react to the arrival of snow. Many people have never seen snow in their lives, and the arrival of this phenomenon has attracted the attention of both locals and tourists. Social media is filled with photos and videos documenting this extraordinary event, showing people enjoying the winter scenery in such an unexpected place.
The Future of Snow in the Sahara
The possibility of the Sahara experiencing more snowfall in the future depends on multiple factors, including the interaction of humid air currents, cold temperatures, and climate fluctuations. Although snow may seem like a rare and isolated phenomenon in the desert, it's a reminder of the complexity of Earth's climate systems.
As we move forward, it is essential to continue monitoring the Sahara's meteorology and analyze how these phenomena affect local communities and the broader environment. Snow in the Sahara, although rare, represents a shift in our perceptions of what is possible in the region's climate and provides an opportunity to further explore the interaction between the global climate and local systems.
The arrival of snow in the Sahara is a topic that sparks great interest and curiosity. Climate phenomena like these not only challenge our understanding of the climate but also remind us that the world is a place full of surprises, where even the driest and warmest areas can experience unexpected changes.
