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4w 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

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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
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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.