The Sahara, the world's largest hot desert, welcomed the year 2025 with an extraordinary phenomenon that defies popular perception of the region. On January 1, white snowflakes fell on the sand dunes near the Algerian city of Ain Sefra, creating a surreal landscape.
This is the second time in the past two years that this unusual weather phenomenon has hit the North African desert. Many residents were able to record the rare event as snowflakes fell onto the iconic Saharan dunes, creating a unique contrast between the golden sand and the white powder.
Ain Sefra, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara", owes its unique geographical location to the possibility of such a phenomenon. The city is located at an altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level, at a strategic point between the vast Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. This particular location gives the place a unique microclimate, combining the characteristics of a desert and mountain climate.
This unusual phenomenon is caused by a storm system that moved across Europe, bringing cold air masses to northern regions of Africa. The cold air reached not only Algeria, but also Tunisia and Libya. While the lower areas received mainly rain, the higher mountainous regions received freezing precipitation and even snow.
Although the snow covered the dunes, creating a breathtaking sight, its presence on the city streets was short-lived. Warmer surface temperatures meant that the snow quickly melted on the roads, causing no major disruptions to residents. Local authorities reported no threats from the snowfall, and residents welcomed the unusual phenomenon as a unique attraction.
Although snow in the Sahara is an extremely rare occurrence, its occurrence in Ain Sefra is not entirely unprecedented. The unique geographical location of the site, at the junction of different climate zones, creates conditions in which such phenomena can occur during the winter months, especially when cold air masses from Europe reach northern Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment