It’s usually 37 degrees there. Now the desert was covered with snow

Atmospheric phenomena can be surprising, as we have often seen. Not only are many of them dangerous, but some of them appear in places where they usually weren’t. At the beginning of 2025, the Sahara Desert was covered with snow.

Snow in the Sahara

The Sahara is the largest desert in the world, located in northern Africa. The place is considered one of the hottest on the planet. Now, despite this, snowfall has been observed in the town of Ain Sefra in Algeria. The mentioned place is located in the Atlas Mountains and is located at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level. It became white not only in the desert, but also on the roads.

The case from early January 2025 became famous thanks to social media. Photos from the snow-covered Sahara were posted, among others, and platform X. Instead of sun, tourists and locals will be treated to white, frosty powder.

Snow instead of 37 degrees

People familiar with Ain Sefra, also known as the “gateway to the desert”, know that the summer temperature usually reaches 37 degrees. In winter it is slightly cooler, but still warm and sunny. It’s hard to imagine that a winter attack could occur there. In December, local thermometers showed minus 10.2 degrees, and it ended with January rainfall.

The first snow fell in Ain Sefra in 1979, and then only after about 40 years – in 2017. It looks like it may appear more and more often. Experts indicate that the changes may be related to the climate crisis.

The last time we mentioned snow in South Africa was September 2024. The phenomenon was so dangerous and unexpected that not everyone had the opportunity to experience it. The snow reached vehicle doors and the roads became dangerously slippery. Phenomena of this type are so rare that they still cause sensations.