THE Sahara, known as the globe's largest desert, endures scorching temperatures as high as 58 degree celsius during the summer.
Despite its reputation of being relentlessly hot and dry, past reports show an unexpected turn: snowfall.
This unusual occurrence sparked curiosity and questioned traditional notions about the desert's climate.
How could such an obvious contradiction be possible in a place known for its blazing heat? Did the Sahara desert truly experience snow?
Verdict:
TRUE
Snow in the Sahara Desert, although surprisingly rare, has been recorded five times in recent decades, including most recently in January 2022.
Near Ain Sefra, northwest Algeria, temperatures dropped to -2 degrees Celsius, making rare snow possible, blanketing the golden sands.
Despite the desert's extreme dryness at its heart, air from the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans occasionally blows into the region, most notably during winter and summer monsoons, raising the chance of snow formation around the desert's edges.
This phenomena is notably visible during the winter when chilly, moist air from the Atlantic and Mediterranean travels over mountainous terrain, such as the Atlas Mountains, where it cools and condenses, resulting in snow.
While the climate in the Sahara is normally exceptionally hot, it can often be extremely cold, specifically at night time when there are typically no clouds or greenery that absorb heat.
In mountainous regions such as the Atlas Mountains, rising air cools and creates snow crystals, particularly if the surface temperature drops drastically.
One might wonder why snow does not thaw immediately upon touching the hot desert sands.
The answer lies in the perfect blend of cool, moist air, cold ground surfaces, and elevated terrain, which enables the snow to hold rather than quickly melting.
Such occurrences challenge conventional desert climate notions, showcasing Earth's weather complexity.
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