For the second time in just two years, a rare snowstorm has blanketed parts of the Sahara Desert in northern Africa, creating an unexpected spectacle in one of the world’s hottest regions. On New Year’s Day, Algerian photographer Karim Bouchetata captured stunning footage of snowflakes falling gently over the town of Ain Sefra, which lies about 30 miles east of the Moroccan border in western Algeria.
The video showed the iconic golden sand dunes of the Sahara covered in a fresh layer of snow, transforming the normally arid landscape into a winter wonderland. However, the snow did not cause major disruptions, as the streets remained passable, with the snow melting quickly on warmer surfaces. This unusual weather event is a result of a cold front that traveled from Europe, bringing winter chill to several North African countries, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
Although snow is rare in the Sahara, Ain Sefra, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” sits at an elevation of about 3,600 feet, where a mix of desert and mountain climates can lead to occasional snowfall in winter. Higher elevations in the region, such as the Atlas Mountains, often experience freezing rain and snow, but the appearance of snow over the dunes is still a rare sight that captures the imagination of both locals and tourists alike.
Local authorities reported no major issues related to the snowfall, and residents of Ain Sefra seemed to appreciate the brief visit of winter in their otherwise hot desert environment. The snowstorm, which also affected parts of Europe, was part of a larger weather system that produced heavy snowfall across the Alps and other regions, some of which had been experiencing snowfall deficits in recent years.
The Sahara Desert, known as the largest hot desert in the world, typically experiences summer temperatures well above 100°F, while winter nights can see temperatures drop below freezing. Such temperature extremes make the appearance of snow even more surprising, as it is a stark contrast to the region’s usual scorching heat.
This brief but breathtaking snowfall serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of weather patterns and the fascinating phenomena that can occur in even the most unlikely places. As global climate patterns continue to shift, the possibility of more unusual weather events, such as snow in the Sahara, may become more frequent, leaving us to wonder what other surprises the natural world has in store.
