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Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert

Updated 24 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-08 04:21 UTC → 2026-10-11 19:43 UTC · added removed

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 early October mid-October 2026, CONAF reports this is one of the most extensive and intense flowering episodes recorded in the region since 1997. In the Punta Gruesa fog oasis south bloom is expected to peak. Biodiversity expert Cesar Pizarro of Iquique, researcher Raquel Pinto CONAF noted that the level of vigor rainfall in some areas has not been seen since 2015, aided by the ‘camanchaca’ (thick fog) maintaining soil humidity. To protect fragile ecosystems like the Palo Buque sector near Iquique, exceeded 180 mm, penetrating deeper into the SEREMI of Environment of Tarapacá sand than usual and the Municipality attracting an influx of Iquique have launched cleaning insects, birds, reptiles, and environmental education operations, urging visitors to stay on designated paths to avoid crushing the purple flowers. 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-11 19:43 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  2. 2026-10-08 04:21 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  3. 2026-10-06 23:28 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  4. 2026-10-06 07:09 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  5. 2026-10-03 17:55 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  6. 2026-10-03 03:02 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  7. 2026-10-02 22:02 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  8. 2026-10-02 10:40 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  9. 2026-10-02 08:03 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  10. 2026-10-02 01:26 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  11. 2026-10-01 23:56 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  12. 2026-10-01 22:53 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  13. 2026-09-27 04:01 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  14. 2026-09-25 20:19 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  15. 2026-09-24 18:05 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  16. 2026-09-24 10:53 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  17. 2026-09-23 06:22 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  18. 2026-09-23 04:51 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  19. 2026-09-22 23:12 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  20. 2026-09-22 22:19 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  21. 2026-09-21 15:45 UTC Rare snowfall and environmental concerns in Atacama Desert
  22. 2026-09-21 14:46 UTC Rare snowfall and major flowering event in Atacama Desert
  23. 2026-09-12 21:12 UTC Rare snowfall and major flowering event in Atacama Desert
  24. 2026-09-03 18:45 UTC Rare snowfall in the Atacama Desert
  25. 2026-09-02 15:01 UTC Rare snowfall in the Atacama Desert

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