Sahara Desert: Know why snow blanketed sand dunes; see stunning images
Snowfall in Sahara
Rare scenes as striking images show sand dunes in the Sahara Desert blanketed by the fresh white snow.
The images, taken by photographer Karim Bouchetata, went viral on social media platforms.
Pics from Ain Sefra, Algeria
Media reports have stated that the snowfall was recorded near the town of Ain Sefra in northwest Algeria, where temperatures fell to -2C.
Ain Sefra is known as "The Gateway to the Desert" and the area is around 1,000 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by the Atlas Mountains.
Snowfall not unprecedented
The snowfall is rare but not unprecedented as it has sometimes seen snow before. However, the overall phenomenon is quite rare.
As per reports, Ain Sefra has seen snow a few times in the past and Tuesday's (January 18) snow marks the fourth time in 42 years. The previous occurrences were in 1979, 2016 and 2018.
NASA once said...
After the 2018 snowfall, NASA in a statement said that the Sahara is much more likely to see snowfall at higher altitudes, such as in the Atlas Mountains. The snowfall in 2018 was even visible from space.
Stunning patterns
The snowfall has created stunning patterns in the sand dunes and after mixing with the bright orange colour of the sand, the scenery looked mesmerising and ethereal.
What's the reason behind rare snowfall
A Daily Mail report mentioned that the possible reason behind such rare occurrence can be the impact of high-pressure systems of cold air that have moved over land to the deserts, causing lower temperatures.
Reports further added that such anticyclones tend to reach Saudi Arabia by moving clockwise out from Central AsiaThey then pick up moisture en route which cools to form snow.
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