What happened in the Sahara desert in February 1979?

As far as records go, snow was seen in Ain Sefra on February 18, 1979, after a snow storm hit the Saharan town for half an hour. After that, 37 years later, the Sahara enjoyed snowfall for the first time in a long time in 2016 again.

Did it snow in the Sahara in 1979?

“It looked amazing as the snow settled on the sand and made a great set of photos. Sharman reports that the last time measurable snow fell on the town tucked into the edge of the Atlas Mountains at the northern edge of the Sahara was 1979. That storm lasted about half an hour and stalled traffic.

What year did it snow in the Sahara Desert?

Snow and ice accumulation in the northern Sahara is unusual, but not unprecedented. Tuesday’s dusting marks the fourth time in 42 years that Ain Sefra has seen snow, with previous occurrences in 1979, 2016 and 2018.

In what year did the Sahara desert receive 30 minutes of snow?

1979
Snow was last reportedly seen in Ain Sefra on February 18, 1979 during a 30-minute snow storm. Ain Sefra is situated where the Atlas Mountains meet the Sahara Desert, which gives the small town the nickname “The Gateway to the Desert” by locals.

Why did it snow in Sahara desert in 1979?

A high pressure formation in Europe, causes the cold air from the Artic to be pulled down, which makes its way through southern Europe landing in the Sahara desert. This cold air then rises to the elevation Ain Sefra, where it causes the snowfall.

Has there ever been snow in Death Valley?

Other snowy Death Valley moments As previously mentioned, the 1922 snow observation wasn’t the only instance of snow in Death Valley, just the only time that a measurable amount fell. The other occurrences all came during the month of January including twice in 1949, once in 1962 and twice in 1974.

What happened for the first known time in the Sahara desert in 1979?

“On February 18, 1979, low altitude areas of the Sahara desert recorded their first snowfall in living memory,” the site reports. “Snow fell in spots of Southern Algeria, where a half-hour snowstorm stopped traffic.”

What are winters like in Death Valley?

During winter, average temperatures range from the mid-60s to the low 70s with overnight lows frequently dropping into the upper 30s. Those cooler conditions combine with clear, sunny days to make winter the perfect season to get explore Death Valley National Park.

Did snow ever fall in Sahara desert?

Snow has fallen in the Sahara desert after temperatures dropped to -3C (27F). Karim Bouchetata recorded the rare event in Ain Sefra, Algeria, with thawing ice creating beautiful patterns on the sand. The town in the Naama province has experienced snow only three other times in 42 years – in 1979, 2017 and 2018.

Is there anywhere in the world where it has never snowed?

Where In The World Has It Never Snowed? The Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Surprisingly, one of the coldest continents (Antarctica) is also home to a place that’s never seen snow. Known as the “Dry Valleys,” the region is one of the driest places on Earth and hasn’t seen rainfall for an estimated 2 million years.

Is it true that it snowed in the Sahara desert?

The Sahara desert, which covers most of Northern Africa, has gone through shifts in temperature over the past few hundred thousand years – but snow and ice are still very rare. The town in the Naama province has experienced snow only three other times in 42 years – in 1979, 2017 and 2018.