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9 clusters · 95 sources · 44 days · First seen · Last updated

Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert

Overview

In August 2026, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile experienced rare and extensive snowfall. NASA satellite imagery captured two distinct episodes: one around August 6 that altered the Chajnantor Plateau, and a second on August 19 that saw snow extending from the Andes toward the Pacific coast. The meteorological phenomenon was driven by a cutoff low combined with an atmospheric trough and coastal moisture. In the city of Taltal, rainfall reached approximately 40 mm over three days, roughly ten times the city’s annual average. The intense snow and strong winds forced the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observatory to suspend operations.

By late September, increased moisture triggered a significant ‘Desierto Florido’ (Flowering Desert) event. Driven by El Niño and unprecedented rainfall—with some areas recording over 180 mm—the bloom has expanded to cover approximately 17,000 square kilometers, activating approximately 200 plant species. Specific species such as ‘suspiros blancos’ and ‘patas de guanaco’ are expected to color the landscape in shades of violet, fuchsia, yellow, and white.

As of mid-October 2026, the bloom is expected to peak. Biodiversity expert Cesar Pizarro of CONAF noted that rainfall in some areas has exceeded 180 mm, penetrating deeper into the sand than usual and attracting an influx of insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. While the bloom is a significant ecological event, experts from CONAF and the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) warn that the ecosystem remains vulnerable to mining activities, illegal dumping, and insufficient conservation funding. Authorities continue to urge tourists to stay on designated paths to protect the fragile landscape.

Entities

Atacama Desert · CONAF · Cesar Pizarro · Chile · Corporación Nacional Forestal

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Atacama Desert blooms following heavy El Niño rains

    Heavy rains caused by El Niño have triggered a massive desert bloom in Chile's Atacama Desert, covering 15,000 hectares in flowers and revitalizing local biodiversity.

  2. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Atacama Desert blooms following exceptional rainfall

    The Atacama Desert is experiencing a massive flowering event covering 17,000 square kilometers following exceptional rains triggered by El Niño.

  3. [CULTURE] 34 sources
    Atacama Desert experiences massive wildflower bloom

    The Atacama Desert in Chile is experiencing a massive, rare wildflower bloom across 17,000 square kilometers, triggered by record rainfall from the El Niño climate phenomenon.

  4. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Atacama Desert experiences massive wildflower bloom

    The Atacama Desert in Chile is experiencing a rare, massive wildflower bloom triggered by heavy El Niño rains, covering potentially 15,000 square kilometers.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 32 sources
    Atacama Desert blooms following exceptional El Niño rainfall

    Exceptional rainfall driven by El Niño has caused the Atacama Desert in Chile to bloom, covering an estimated 15,000 hectares with over 200 plant species.

  6. [CULTURE] 12 sources
    Atacama Desert experiences massive bloom following record rainfall

    Unprecedented rainfall from El Niño has triggered a massive blooming event in Chile's Atacama Desert, covering up to 15,000 hectares in flowers, while authorities urge tourists to respect protected paths.

  7. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Atacama Desert prepares for major flowering event and extreme temperature shifts

    The Atacama Desert is set for one of its largest flowering events in 30 years, covering 17,000 km² following winter rains, while the region maintains its characteristic extreme daily temperature shifts.

  8. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Atacama Desert covered in snow following rare winter storms

    Rare winter storms have covered parts of Chile’s Atacama Desert in snow, a meteorological rarity that forced major astronomical observatories like ALMA to temporarily suspend operations.

  9. [INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
    Atacama Desert experiences rare and extensive snowfall

    NASA satellites have captured rare, widespread snowfall covering the Atacama Desert in Chile, stretching from the Andes to near the Pacific coast and impacting astronomical observatories like ALMA.

Sources

072info.com · 6abc.com · abc11.com · abc7chicago.com · abc7news.com · actualidad.rt.com · ad-hoc-news.de · ahora.com.pe · allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · ashams.com · bild.de · businesstoday.in · concierto.cl · dattelner-morgenpost.de · descopera.ro · diarioantofagasta.cl · DiePresse.com · dorstenerzeitung.de · ekolist.cz · elnacional.cat · elnuevosiglo.com.co · envivo.rockandpop.cl · es.euronews.com · euronews.com · fjala.al · focusjunior.it · fr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · geekweek.interia.pl · halternerzeitung.de · hellwegeranzeiger.de · hopkinsmedicine.org · hu.euronews.com · ilfattoquotidiano.it · impulsportal.net · infoarenales.com · ipadizate.es · it.euronews.com · jardineriaon.com · kreiszeitung.de · kyma.com · lahora.pe · lanacion.cl · landsd.gov.hk · latitud2000.com · lavozhispanact.com · leinetal24.de · marler-zeitung.de

This summary has been updated 24 times: see revision history