The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. It is considered to be one of the harshest environments on the planet covering 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers) or nearly a third of the African continent and about the size of the US, taking into Hawaii and Alaska.
The Sahara is famous for its sand dune ranges, which are often seen in movies. It reaches a height of nearly 600 feet (183 meters) but covers 15% of the total desert, according to Living Science. But there are mountains, plateau, sand and gravel plains, and much more.
With the hot temperatures in the desert, who would have thought it would rain in one of the driest places on Earth? But it has happened over the last few decades and it is reported to be happening for the fourth time in 42 years this time. While this may seem like a surprise, experts say the snowfall is unique.
Scarce snow leaves unparalleled patterns on Sahara sand dunes
Last January 19, the Sahara desert was reported to be covered in snow. The snow was seen outside the town of Ain Sefra northwest of Algeria where it formed a unique pattern on the sand dunes. Local photographer Karim Boucheta took the pictures of the sand dunes with crystal ice and the unusual weather in the Sahara desert that has made headlines around the world.
(Image: YouTube)
Snow in the Sahara Desert Ice covers Sahara desert while snow falls in Saudi Arabia screenshot from YouTube / Analysis TV
The dust marks on the sand dunes are the fourth link the snow desert has received in 42 years, with previous events recorded in the years 1979, 2016, and 2018. Unlike a rare snowfall this year, snow had previously been much thicker and heavier. For example, the 2016 blizzard fell over 3 feet (1meter) in selected regions, while the 201815 snowfall left snow inches (40 centimeters) of snow.
according to NASA, the Sahara Desert is more prone to snowfall at higher altitudes, such as the Atlas Mountains. The American space agency said the 2018 snow dump was even visible from space. They added that there was some snow in the Moroccan side of the Atlas Mountains in 2015 and 2012.
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Why did it snow in the Sahara desert?
Ain Sefra is near the Algerian and Moroccan borders. It is about 3,800 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level and surrounded by the Atlas mountains. In the summer season, the temperature of the region is usually 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
However, Sky News reported that there was an average of around 57 F (14 C) this January. The night before the recent ethereal display of frost in the Sahara Desert, the temperature was only 27 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius).
According to Paul Deanno Books, for any place to get snow, it must have two weather features: cold air and humidity. There is a scarce supply of these factors in Africa but they are not in Ain Sefra, which makes snow unusual but not impossible.
That means cold and snow showers could cause it to occur even in the driest part of the world, which happened again for the fourth time in 42 years.
MORE SITES: Evidence of a water system found in the Sahara
Check out more news on Snow and Science Times.