Snow in the Sahara
Unbelievable! Sahara is the hottest, driest place on the planet. The last thing one would expect is snow. That's a rare weather event ( the last time snow fell there was in 1979 - it was first time in recorded weather history ), and therefore this is real, exciting news.
An amateur photographer by the name of Karim Bouchetata captured the snow on the red sand dunes (photo above) near the little algerian desert town Ain Sefra, known as the Gateway to the desert . He had to do it quickly as the snow stayed only for about a day and then melted away (19 of December,2016).
There are some youtube videos about this Ain Sefra place in Algeria - an oasis located in the desert and near the Atlas mountains (see, for example, the video "Algerie, cote d'Ain Sefra- Paysages").
The snow in the Sahara desert is one of the many occurrences of weather anomality during the last two decades, which makes us wonder where do we go from here . What's going to happen next with our climate? We're quite helpless about it. I don't call the situation warming or cooling of the earth - it would be erroneous - just anomality of the weather.
Yes, strange things do happen from time to time!
ReplyDeleteStephanie Faris'
ReplyDeleteIndeed so. However when these strange things are related to earth and climate - their number has greatly increased lately; not from time to time anymore.
I can't imagine snow on the Sahara, but anything's possible. The weather has been crazy here in the Chicago area. Last week it was very bitter cold, windy and snowy. Now it has warmed up and they're predicting temps in the 59's by Monday. Crazy! And even chances of thunder also, which will be a first for this time of year in recorded weather history!
ReplyDeleteMakes a person wonder what is going on in this world...
Pam,
ReplyDelete'Crazy' is the word I also use sometimes when talking about the weather. Things are definitely changing and scientists are offering no solid clue as to what we should expect. It's all in the hands of God.
Craciun luminat , sarbatori fericite !
ReplyDeleteDaliana Pacuraru,
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Wishing you too a merry Christmas (Craciun) and Happy Holidays (sarbatori fericite). How sweet it all sounds in the romanian language!
Interesting! We're in the middle of a bit of ice pellets! Such a mess out there!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
Jenn Jilks,
ReplyDeleteWell, snow/ice in your country Canada is not surprising. It's close to the Arctic and its freezing climate.But snow in Sahara is not a usual phenomenon.
Snow on the Sahara is impressive and is proof that something wrong is happening with the climate of the planet. Regards.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual occurrence. We are in the midst of change. It is scary.
ReplyDeleteGiga,
ReplyDeleteI would also say that the thin layer of snow on the sand dunes of Ain Sefra prooves that significant changes are taking place in our atmosphere.
Sharon Wagner,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is scary as we have no control over it. We could still do a lot of things about pollution , but I think irreversible damage has been done. Let's hope God will have mercy on us.
For the nine years we have been here the locals have said that the weather has 'not been what it used to be', but 2016 returned to the 'normal' type of weather. So perhaps there is a cyclic effect on the weather systems.
ReplyDeleteVera,
ReplyDeleteCould be cyclic effect. Everything in nature is cyclic. However, there are people (metereologists) that check weather history and so far, they haven't denied the anomalous change in weather patterns of the last decades.
wow, that's a pretty picture, Duta. Yes, there's usually never snow in the desert. January is probably the coldest month here, so I'm bundling up. I wanted to thank you for all your dear comments on my blog this year. I look forward to more of your interesting and wonderful blog posts in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new year is a bright one for you, Duta.
~Sheri
Red Rose Alley,
ReplyDeletePretty picture indeed, but it's not mine. I think January is probably the coldest month of winter here too. Hopefully, we shall overcome the cold.
Thanks for your kind words.
Happy New Year to you and family!
I do so love our snow! I like to shovel, it's good exercise.
ReplyDeleteJenn Jilks,
ReplyDeleteI suppose you do. It is an integral part of your country's climate display.
I don't mind the snow itself, but the cold that comes with it. To shovel is, indeed, good exercise
Amazing!!! It is interesting what's happening climate wise. Things do seem upside down. Where I am we have little snow so far, very unusual and on the other side of the country where it rarely snows, they got hit with a severe storm.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very happy new year Duta filled with amazing things.
Nikki (Sarah),
ReplyDeleteWell, we can't complain about lack of interesting and strange happenings. Let's see what 2017 has in store for us. I pray and hope for a positive year.
Happy New Year to you too!
I have enjoyed reading your posts, particularly the one about the need for reconciliation. How true! You are an inspiring writer, Duta. Happy New year.
ReplyDeleteLinda O'Connell,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. I feel very flattered by your "inspiring writer" compliment.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
That's a beautiful picture! Definitely a lot of strange things happening with weather across the world. We've had several years of drought here in California and while we've gotten a bit of rain in the past few weeks what we really need is snow in the mountains to build up the snow pack and provide water we so desperately need.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year DUTA!
ALICIA,
ReplyDeleteDrought has been affecting agriculture in many parts of the world: Alabama, Canada, California...As you say, snow in the mountains to help build a water reservoir , that's indeed what is needed.
Wow Snow in the Sahara! This old earth is having weird weather, nothing much we can do about it but I believe we should keep it clean as possible.
ReplyDeleteKim@stuff,
ReplyDeleteAmazing isn't it? I like your expressions: "old earth", "weird weather". It's a very accurate description.