Context:

• For the third time in the last 40 years, and second time in less than two years, the Sahara Desert has its encounter with snow. While the small Algerian town of Ain Sefra received a fleeting shower in December 2016 that created chaos across the area, the snowfall this North African town received this year (on January 7) is much deeper. While the town itself saw an inch or two, the sand dunes on its outskirts were blanketed by more than 16 inches (40cm) snow. Prior to that, snow had not been in this region since February 18, 1979.

Facts for Prelims:

• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is one of the few places in the continent that has a snowy cap.
• Only Oukaimeden, a Moroccan ski resort in the Atlas Mountain, shares the privilege of witnessing snow every year.
• It is also Africa’s highest ski resort at 3,200 metres (10,500 feet).

Source:Downtoearth