Atacama Desert experiences rare and extensive snowfall

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile has experienced exceptionally extensive snowfall, covering large areas of the hyper-arid region. NASA satellite imagery from Landsat 8, Landsat 9, and Terra captured the phenomenon, showing a white mantle stretching from the Andes Mountains toward the Pacific coast, including the desert's hyper-arid core.

Two distinct episodes were noted in August 2026. The first occurred around August 6, significantly altering the landscape of the Chajnantor Plateau. A second episode was captured on August 19, showing snow extending westward from the Andes toward areas near the coast, south of Antofagasta. NASA attributed these events to isolated low-pressure systems separating from the jet stream.

The weather conditions impacted scientific operations in the region. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), one of the world's most important radio telescopes, had to place its antennas in protection mode due to intense snow and strong winds.