Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
2mo ago

Atacama Observatory Records Snowfall for First Time in a Decade

Climate models suggest that precipitation in the Atacama may grow more frequent, prompting further study of the desert’s changing weather patterns

Image
This handout picture released by the ALMA Observatory in the Atacama Desert shows snowfall at dawn, a phenomenon that had not occurred in 10 years at this altitude in the driest desert in the world
Image
Snowfall in Atacama on June 26, 2025

Overview

  • On June 26, the ALMA observatory at 2,900 meters in Chile’s Atacama Desert recorded snowfall for the first time in ten years.
  • Nearby Chajnantor Plateau above 5,000 meters frequently receives snow, but the main ALMA facility had not seen any precipitation until this week.
  • University of Santiago climatologist Raúl Cordero said it is too soon to attribute the snowfall to climate change, though climate modeling indicates such events could become more common.
  • The Atacama Desert’s exceptionally dry conditions and dark skies make it a premier location for telescopes, including the powerful ALMA radio array.
  • Scientists plan to study the snowfall’s effects on both astronomical observations and regional weather patterns to improve climate projections.