Gateway to the Sahara covered in snow for the second time in two years, Algeria

Snow fell in the Sahara Desert for the second time in two years on January 1 and 2, 2025. Photos and videos shared online depicted snow-covered dunes and snowfall in Ain Sefra and Tirkont village.

The snowfall was caused by a storm system originating in Europe, which brought winter weather to Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.

In lower elevations, most of the precipitation was rain, whereas higher, mountainous regions experienced freezing rain and some snow.

The storm system that brought snow to the Sahara also caused heavy snowfall in the Alps and other parts of Europe, regions that had been experiencing snowfall deficits.

Ain Sefra, often called the “Gateway to the Sahara,” is located at an elevation of approximately 1 100 m (3 600 feet), between the expansive Saharan Desert and the Atlas Mountains.

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Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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