AIN SEFRA, Algeria – For the second time in two years, a blanket of snow covered parts of the Sahara Desert in North Africa, creating a rare and unexpected sight.
On New Year’s Day, Algerian photographer Karim Bouchetata captured video of snowflakes falling over Ain Sefra, a town in western Algeria, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of the Moroccan border.
The video showed dunes covered in fresh snow, but streets appeared to remain passable as the snow cover on warmer surfaces melted.
The storm system that caused the frozen precipitation originated over Europe and brought winter cold to countries such as Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
Most of the precipitation that fell at the lower elevations was rain, but higher, more mountainous areas reported freezing rain and even some snow.
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Algerian photographer Karim Bouchetata captured video of snow falling over parts of the Sahara Desert on New Year’s Day.
Local authorities did not report any dangers associated with the snowfall as many residents appeared to enjoy the rare spectacle.
Ain Sefra is often called the “Gateway to the Sahara” because it is located at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, between the vast Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains.
This unique terrain results in a mix of desert and mountain climates, with occasional frozen precipitation during the winter months.
The storm system responsible for the wintry weather has also led to heavy snowfall in the Alps and other parts of Europe, where snowfall shortages have been reported recently.
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The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert overall, after Antarctica and the Arctic.
Summer high temperatures often rise well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter night temperatures can drop below freezing.
Source of original article: Rare snow covers the Sahara dunes in North Africa
