VIRAL: Sahara Desert receives snowfall in fifth time 40 years, leaves netizens mesmerised

Images of snowfall on the Sahara Desert have shocked the people on the internet and also raised a concern regarding global warming.  

The Sahara Desert is known as the world’s driest desert with temperatures going up to 50 degrees and is also considered as one of the hottest places on earth. 

The photos of the snow-clad sand dunes were taken by photographer Karim Bouchetata last week when the snow first fell creating beautiful icy patterns. When the desert witnessed the snowfall, the temperature had plummeted to -2 degrees. 

But this is not the first time that the region has witnessed a snowfall. This phenomenon has taken place a handful of times in the past 40 years - 1979, 2017, 2018 and 2021.

Here are some pictures: 

One of the amazing 'Snowfall in the Sahara Desert' pictures available on the BBC news website today! pic.twitter.com/jXzF1gVwLT

— Chorister9retired (@Chorister9) January 19, 2022

Rare Snowfall in Sahara Desert Covers Sand Dunes in Ice

Known primarily for being a searing and sandy wasteland, a part of the Sahara Desert has been transformed into an icy winter wonderland. pic.twitter.com/NrToLnVKoa

— Marcelle (@marseelee) January 19, 2022

Snow has fallen in the Sahara Desert in northwestern Algeria for the 5th time in 42 years  pic.twitter.com/R82mg6G07H

— African Hub (@TheAfrican_Hub) January 19, 2022

Fifth time in 42 years! Sahara desert covered with snow An interesting natural phenomenon was encountered in the Sahara Desert. It snowed in the desert, which reached a temperature of 58 degrees in summer. With the snowfall in 1979, 2016, 2018 and 2021, this rare natural.. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/u5BThStE06

— Green Planet Magazine (@GreenPlanetMag1) January 20, 2022

Even though it was a wonderful wonderland experience for netizens, some were also concerned as to why this happened in the first place. Many questioned if this was happening because of global warming?

Climate change is real and has managed to wreak havoc across many African countries with soaring temperatures. 

Notably, many studies have pointed out that it is due to climate change that the Sahara Desert has grown by 10 per cent than what it was nearly a century ago. ​​