Snow Falls in One of Earth's Driest Places

Topic: Earth Science

A series of winter storms brought heavy snow to parts of northern Chile in August 2026. The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, received a rare covering of snow. Researchers say this event was unusual due to an exceptionally large trough that disrupted weather patterns.

A series of winter storms swept across northern Chile in August 2026, bringing an unusual covering of snow to parts of the Atacama Desert. Snowfall in this famously dry region is not unprecedented. Similar events occurred in 2025 and 2011.

The OLI (Operational Land Imager) aboard the NASA USGS Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites documented the dramatic change in images taken on August 6 and August 14, before and after a stretch of severe weather, respectively. The views provide a close look at the Chajnantor plateau within the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex.

This high-elevation area is home to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world. As heavy snow and strong winds moved through the area, ALMA suspended operations and placed its antennas into a protective survival mode.

Why It Matters

This event shows how unusual weather patterns can bring unexpected changes to our planet. It also highlights the importance of understanding climate and atmospheric conditions that affect different regions around the world.

Key Facts

• A series of winter storms brought heavy snow to parts of northern Chile in August 2026.
• The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, received a rare covering of snow.
• Researchers say this event was unusual due to an exceptionally large trough that disrupted weather patterns.
• The OLI (Operational Land Imager) aboard the NASA USGS Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites documented the dramatic change in images taken on August 6 and August 14.
• ALMA, one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world, suspended operations due to heavy snow and strong winds.

Key Terms

El Niño

A natural climate pattern that affects weather patterns around the world.

Trough

An elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure.

Implications

This event shows how unusual weather patterns can bring unexpected changes to our planet. It also highlights the importance of understanding climate and atmospheric conditions that affect different regions around the world.