Rare Snow Blankets Chile’s Atacama Desert for First Time in a Decade

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Rare snow in the Atacama Desert, Chile. | Photo: Copernicus
Rare snow in the Atacama Desert, Chile. | Photo: Copernicus

A rare snowfall event affected the arid expanse of the Atacama Desert, known as the driest place on Earth, on 26 June.⁣ The snow covered the Operations Support Centre of the ALMA Observatory in Chile, situated at an altitude of 9,500 feet (2,900 metres).

The event, triggered by a convergence of cold air, a high-altitude front, and low pressure over the Pacific Ocean, disrupted transportation and forced school closures across the Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama regions. While snow occasionally falls at elevations above 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) in the Andes, measurable snowfall at ALMA’s main site is uncommon. The last significant event occurred over a decade ago. ⁣

The Atacama Desert, spanning over 40,500 square miles (105,000 square kilometers), is defined by its extreme aridity, with some areas receiving virtually no rainfall for centuries. Its unique conditions have made it a hub for astronomy, mining, and, increasingly, renewable energy projects.

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image shows snow in parts of the Atacama Desert in Chile and across the border in Argentina.⁣

Open data from the Copernicus EU Sentinel satellites helps map snow cover around the world, delivering insights to keep communities safer and more informed.⁣


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