Amazing Photos Show Snow On The Dunes Of The Sahara Desert

A selection of amazing - and pretty bizarre - pictures have shown the snow that has fallen on parts of the Sahara Desert over the last few days.

While we're more than used to a bit of snow and freezing cold temperatures over here in the UK during January, it's less usual to see the mercury dip below zero or snowfall in the Middle East or the Sahara Desert in Africa.

However, that's exactly what has happened. As well as the freak snow in Africa, Saudi Arabia has also recorded temperatures as low as -2C, raising yet further concerns about the freak nature of the world's weather in recent times.

In Saudi Arabia, people have actually been enjoying this unusual diversion from their normal hot and arid weather. Geo News reported that people flocked to the nearby desert to catch a glimpse of the snow that had fallen.

Photographer Karim Bouchetata captured some stunning images of snow decorating the dunes of the Sahara near to the town of Ain Sefra in Algeria.

Sheep could be seen wandering around - presumably as surprised and confused as everyone else - on Wednesday (13 January) when temperatures dropped to -3C.

Ain Sefra is known as the Gateway to the Desert, and sits 1,000m above sea level in the middle of the Atlas Mountains.

While it is well documented that the scorching deserts of the world can get pretty chilly at night, that usually doesn't bring with it any ice or snow, at least partially because of the low levels of moisture.

It is a desert after all, but that hasn't always been the case.

Interestingly enough, the region of northern and western Africa that the Sahara Desert covers has fluctuated in temperature and rainfall over the course of history.

Right now, it's dry and arid, but in 15,000 years or so, it is expected to become green once again.

Meanwhile, over in Saudi Arabia, the locals are enjoying the novelty for now. It's been over 50 years since the temperatures were below freezing in the Kingdom's south western Aseer region.

That must have been a shock for some of the camels that call that part of the world their home, never mind the humans.

At least it's a bit different for them, it's getting a little bit tedious over here after a few weeks. Maybe we'll get some scorching heat later on in the year.

Featured Image Credit: Bav Media/Karim Bouchetata

Topics: Weather, World News, Interesting, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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