Sahara desert hit by icy blast and snow blankets parts of Saudi Arabia This makes them both difficult places for plants and animals to live. It's a national holiday, and street parties and festivals take place in cities and towns across the country. "The bigger challenge is getting enough food and water to survive.". Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The largest desert on Earth is Antarctica, which covers 14.2 million square kilometers(5.5 million square miles). After all, when the sun goes down on a tropical beach, you don't need to don a winter coat. The milky way shines in the night sky over the Sahara Desert. The dust-laden haboob winds of Sudan are of shorter duration, chiefly occur during the summer months, and often usher in heavy rains. Human activity seems to have contributed to the stability of the desert by increasing surface reflectivity and by reducing evapotranspiration. February, however, is a warm month with an average high temperature at 24C (75.2F). Morocco is one of the worlds most diverse countries, ranging from the Atlantic Coast to the High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert. A number of geographic expeditions were launched by the Russians and British; and, though the main focus of these expeditions was the Takla Makan, most of them also went through the Gobi, where basic mapping and some study of the flora and fauna were conducted. Youll likely find the sun shining and the flowers blooming when you visit Morocco in March. Are you planning to visit Morocco and the Sahara Desert? If you prefer to visit Morocco in a quieter season, youll find fewer crowds all over Morocco in February as its the shoulder season. Perennials survive for several years by becoming dormant and flourishing when water is available. These storms can cause tremendous flash floods that rush into areas where no precipitation has fallen. 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The ultramarathon is about 250 kilometers . March heralds the start of spring in Morocco, with the weather warming up. On January 10, locals in the mountainous region were treated to a flurry of snow. During the day, sand's radiation of the sun's energy superheats the air and causes temperatures to soar. In fact, some of them were among the most advanced on Earth at their time. During the 1990s, joint Mongolian-Russian-American archaeological expeditions excavated Paleolithic and Neolithic caves in the Mongolian Gobi. This includes the record of 56.7C (134.1F) in Death Valley, which is currently considered the highest temperature recorded on Earth. The Best Beaches Near Marrakech How the Earth was made? The official weather station in Death Valley, United States reports 60mm (2.4in) annually, but in a 40-month period between 1931 and 1934 a total of just 16mm (0.63in) of rainfall was measured. Hot desert climates are found across vast areas of North Africa, Western Asia, northwestern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, interior Australia, the Southwestern United States, northern Mexico, the coast of Peru, and Chile. Monthly Temperature and Precipitation from 1970 - 2000. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Examine how continuous climate change impacts the Sahara and its vegetation, Investigate the impact of sand particles of the Sahara on the Earth's climate. Milad un Nabi. At night, find a cozy place to try traditional Moroccan cuisineanywhere near an open fire will dobut you'll want to focus your energy on activities during January's relatively short daylight hours, when the temperatures are pleasant for being outside. "I call it cheating because they don't really experience the limitations of a desert," DeNardo said. However, research indicates that "Nights are going to be warmer, but that's not as bad as warmer days," DeNardo noted. Usually held in the second week of February, this gorgeous festival is held to celebrate the annual blooming of the almond tree flowers in Tafraoute. A number of factors influence the climate of the African continent. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Download issues for free. But when the weather turns cold during winter months in northern parts of the desert, its usually very harsh and can get as low as -36 to -52F (-33 C). Do camels really have water in their humps? In fact, the most important characteristic of a desert is that it receives very little rainfall. Desert climate - Wikipedia If you're taking a day trip to the Sahara Desert in North Africa, you're going to want to bring a lot of water and plenty of sunscreen. The Sahara is a dry place, but it gets chilly at night. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. From the Oasis Music Festival in Marrakesh to the Marriage Festival in Imilchil, or the LBoulevard Festival of Casablanca to TANJazz in Tangier, youre sure to find a festival to suit you during September in Morocco. It lasts for five days and youll see both local and international acts performing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Arabian Desert - Climate | Britannica The dry tropical climate is characterized by a strong annual temperature cycle following the declination of the sun; mild, dry winters; and a hot dry season preceding variable summer rains. This last feature is seen in sections of Africa and Arabia. Indeed, Lakes Orog and Bntsagaan, in the easternmost Mongolian Altai, and Lake Ulaan, in the northwestern Gobi Altai, are but shadows of their former selves. Another feature of the dry subtropics are the hot, southerly winds that often carry dust from the interior. In the Gobi, particularly its semidesert sections, livestock raising is the main economic activity, sheep and goats constituting more than half of the total herds. The desert covers most of the North African countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya and Sudan. Both of these criteria are applicable to the southwestern half of the Kalahari. Outdoor activities. The various snails that inhabit the desert are an important source of food for birds and animals. In the northwest region of the desert, in Morocco, January is the middle of winter, and temperatures turn bitterly cold in the nearby High Atlas mountains. During the day, desert temperatures rise to an average of 38C (a little over 100F). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". RELATED CONTENT: Christmas in the sunshine: where to go for winter sun in Morocco. Sahara | Location, History, Map, Countries, Animals, & Facts Marrakesh International Film Festival. However, at night it will fall below 0C which is much cooler than what you might be used to. Saudi Arabia also experienced snow in 2018 and locals had fun with sleighs and snowballs. Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert - 6 Days Explore the peaks of the High Atlas mountains and the vast sandy landscapes of the Sahara on this outdoorsy tour. November starts to ease into winter, offering cooler days and fewer crowds. It also gets colder and windier in coastal cities like Essaouira and snow gets thicker in the High Atlas Mountains. Covering 14.2% of earth's land area, hot deserts are the second most common type of climate on earth[1] after the polar climate. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Subtropical deserts like the Sahara are what people generally imagine when they think about the desert. There are several highways, including one from eastern China to Xinjiang across the Bei Mountains and the Gaxun Gobi; from the town of Kalgan (Zhangjiakou) in Inner Mongolia (northwest of Beijing) to Ulaanbaatar; and from Ulaanbaatar to Dalandzadgad in southern Mongolia, some 300 miles (500 km) south-southwest of Ulaanbaatar. By the 19th century, however, a climate similar to that of the present was reestablished. Got a sweet tooth? The heat of the desert can reach extreme temperatures during the day. Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute. Early January is a popular time for tourism in the desert: lots of travelers plan trips over the Christmas and New Year holidays, so prices for tours and accommodations are higher than usual. January is the coldest month in Saudi Arabia, with the mercury hitting an average of 20.2C. Cold desert climates are typically found at higher altitudes than hot desert climates and are usually drier than hot desert climates. Mawazine Festival. Akchour Waterfalls + Gods Bridge But if youre looking for a change of scenery, I cant think of any place more beautiful than this land of sand, sunsets and camels. Youll experience shows, workshops, conferences and more throughout the festival. Many rivers flow only in summer. Although they occur at various times of the year, they are especially common during the spring. However, this phenomenon alone doesn't account for such a drastic drop in temperature. Where is the hottest place on Earth and what's the highest - The Sun The average daily temperature in Marrakesh is around 28C, but temperatures can range from 15C and 35C from the mountains to the desert. The average Sahara Desert temperature during the night is 25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 degrees Celsius. November is also a great time to visit the Sahara Desert, with milder temperatures. The dry desert air cools off quite a bit after the summertime peak, with average temperatures in the low 70s, highs in the low 80s, and lows in . Several studies of the rocks in the region indicate that the Sahara became established as a climatic desert approximately 23 million years ago, an interval that spanned from the late Pliocene to the early Pleistocene Epoch. If you head into the mountains, youre likely to see the snow melting and the wildflowers, cherry trees and almond trees blossoming. Deserts get about 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rain per yearthe least amount of rain of all of the biomes. Average temperatures for the coldest months are essentially the same as they are for the subtropical zone to the north, but the diurnal range is more moderate. So when is the best time to visit Morocco and the Sahara Desert? Kelaat-MGouna, known as the valley of roses, hosts this annual festival every year in May. The northernmost latitudes are arid subtropical and have two rainy seasons, while the southern latitudes are tropical and have one rainy season. Tan-Tan Moussem (Festival). Antarcticas waters are abundant with sea life, including fish, krill, and sea sponges. They can be hot and sandy like the Sahara, or cold and ice-covered like Antarctica. Livestock raising is mainly nomadic, and herds move several times a year, migrating as much as 120 miles (190 km) between extreme points. var t = d.createElement('script'); Our local travel specialists have been recommended by. Yennayer (Amazigh New Year). Held every year (usually July) in Casablanca, it attracts the best jazz musicians from across the globe. The temperatures can still reach up to 33C so its still a great time to go to the beach. While its considered the low season, it does coincide with school holidays in the UK, so it can be a popular time for family holidays. Snow tends to be rare and sporadic in regions with this climate. Since desert conditions are so severe, the plants that live there need to have adaptations to compensate for the lack of water. Ouzoud Falls It is also the coldest desert on Earth, even colder than the planets other polar desert, the Arctic. We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. For other uses, see, "Updated world map of the Kppen-Geiger climate classification", "Weather - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)", "Why are polar regions not considered deserts? But if you're planning to stay the night, then you better bring a snug sleeping bag, too. If it gets too hot, you can always retreat to the Atlas Mountains which are a bit cooler than the cities at around 30C. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. If you venture into the heart of the Atacama Desert (the world's driest desert), you will find the town of Quillagua; the driest place in the world. Skiing. Its celebrated by Amazigh (Berber) people, who mostly live in the Atlas mountains, and the festivities are incredible to see. And as autumn rolls in, the Sahara Desert also becomes much more manageable. Related: Could the Sahara ever be green again? What is a Desert Climate? - WorldAtlas January is the coldest monthin Saudi Arabia, with the mercury hitting an average of 68.36 degrees Fahrenheit.. Tabuk is one of the coldest regions in the country, but it usually experiences dry weather with average temperatures of 39.2 degrees. Some plants, such as cacti, store water in their stems and use it very slowly, while others like bushes conserve water by growing few leaves or by having large root systems to gather water. Snow also blanketed parts of Saudi Arabia which saw the mercury hit 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures generally range between 10C and 20C depending on the region, although it can get colder so its best to come prepared for anything. Photographer Karim Bouchetata took incredible photos of ice covering the sand in the small Saharan desert town. Snow fell in the Sahara and Saudi Arabia in January 2022 and 2021, but it is not the first time these normally scorching hot spots have been blanketed in white. The Sahara Desert extends across ten countries, occupying nearly a third of the continent of Africa. The summers in the Sahara Desert are very humid, and temperatures can reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. These locations feature some of the highest annual average temperatures recorded on Earth, exceeding 30C (86F), up to nearly 35C (95F) in Dallol, Ethiopia. The Sahara is one of the harshest environments on . Next in importance are the large-horned cattle. The sun sets and after its heat has dissipated, the majority of what is left becomes a cool breeze. The desert air is considered the driest in the world, but weather and rainfall vary throughout the different regions of the Sahara. Monsoonlike conditions exist in the eastern regions, which receive most of their precipitation in summer. Desert biomes are the driest of all the biomes. So, why does this dramatic temperature shift happen in arid deserts like the Sahara? Im not saying that you should pack your bags and move to the Sahara Desert. At night, the average temperature is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. Be aware that spring sandstorms are common in the Sahara Desert during March. We've received your submission. The Met Office has now issued an Amber and Yellow alerts for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, saying Brits should expect heavy and prolonged downpours with snowmelt causing floods. Get ready for it: June is the start of summer in the Sahara, the driest desert in the world. The world absolute heat records, over 50 C (122 F), are generally in the hot deserts, where the heat potential can be the highest on the planet. Its a great time for sightseeing and photography with blooming trees and lush green landscapes. The desert climate or arid climate (in the Kppen climate classification BWh and BWk), is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. How we predict the weather? The best time for skiing in Morocco falls from mid-January to mid-February. Held on 18 November, this day commemorates the day Morocco gained independence from Spain and France in 1956. Since the 1950s, population increase and the overuse of marginal lands have decreased vegetation cover and increased soil erosion, resulting in an overall expansion of the desert area of the Gobi at the expense of semiarid grasslands on the fringes. The coldest months in the Sahara Desert are January and December. In addition, various ancient caravan tracks crisscross the Gobi in all directions. The temperatures are warm but not sweltering, and the rain is easing off. . Most precipitation falls from December through March. January 11 - Proclamation of Independence Morocco celebrates independence from French colonial power. This incredible festival is held every year in El Jadida and draws hundreds of thousands of people. The itinerary was well put together with appropriate ti", "We just had the most phenomenal trip in Morocco with the help of KimKim and our driver - Samir from Original Travel. desert - National Geographic Society But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This is because of what we know now about climate change, but in the past it was not uncommon for civilizations to flourish in this region. Sahara desert: Rare snowfall leaves extraordinary pattern on sand dunes RELATED CONTENT: Our guide to everything you need to know before travelling to Morocco. Based on fossil evidence, the Sahara and Antarctica appear to have been the homes of many plants and animals in the past. Excellent drivers, guides and truly memorable people in a lively country. Jazzablanca. Desert: Mission: Biomes - NASA 5 things to know on April 30, 2023: Start your week smart: Texas Its the last month to visit the Sahara Desert before the sweltering heat of July and August arrives. Its also the start of the lower season, so if youre looking for a quieter experience, this is the month to do it. In 45 states, the coldest month of the year is January. Held in Fes, this incredible festival celebrates spirituality, dance and music. Morocco's Sahara Desert in January: Travel Tips, Weather, and More While spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are hailed as the best times to visit due to the pleasant temperatures, every season offers something different. RELATED CONTENT: All the essentials to include on your Morocco packing list. "There's a lot of different places to go to be warmer or cooler, especially when you're small," DeNardo told Live Science. Many reptiles also benefit from being small, which allows them to find shady nooks during the day or warmer rocks at night. Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. The Kyzyl Kum, Taklamakan and Katpana Desert deserts of Central Asia are other major examples of BWk climates. This is another amazing music festival, but this one is held in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. two wet seasons; one from December until March and another from July to August). January is the coldest month in Saudi Arabia, with the mercury hitting an average of 20.2C. A narrow strip of the western coastal zone has a relatively cool, uniform temperature reflecting the influence of the cold Canary Current. The dry subtropical climate is characterized by unusually high annual and diurnal temperature ranges, cold to cool winters and hot summers, and two precipitation maximums. All rights reserved. The ice that covers the area is on average 2.45 kilometers (1.5 miles) thick. Although some deserts are very hot, with daytime temperatures as high as 54C (130F), other deserts have cold winters or are cold year-round. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. People have adapted to life in the desert for thou sands of years. Sahara Desert - WorldAtlas Precipitation averages are about five inches per year, occasionally including some snowfall in the central massifs. The Sahara desert has been hit by an icy blast with temperatures dipping below freezing. The daytime temperature averages 38C while in some deserts it can get down to -4C at night. RELATED CONTENT: The dream bucket list destinations that are open to travellers for 2022 trips. In these locations, stable descending air and high pressure aloft clear clouds and create hot, arid conditions with intense sunshine. Harry is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. What Electric Power Plugs Are Used in Morocco. Desert . It got cancelled by Covid, but Kimkim didn't give us any fuss about holding off the money we had paid. Rodents include marmots and gophers, and there are reptiles. The temperature varies dramatically from day to night here daytime temperatures often hover around 120 degrees Fahrenheit while nighttime lows drop below freezing. Summer is in full swing come June and its one of the hottest months of the year to visit Morocco. Most desert/arid climates receive between 25 and 200mm (1 and 8in) of rainfall annually,[3][4] although some of the most consistently hot areas of Central Australia, the Sahel and Guajira Peninsula can be, due to extreme potential evapotranspiration, classed as arid with the annual rainfall as high as 430 millimetres or 17 inches. The most extreme weather and climates on Earth: From fire tornadoes to This is the time to visit the Erg Chebbi dunes, go on a camel ride, and enjoy an organized tour of desert towns. The rainfall increases but youll still get plenty of sunny days perfect to visit the iconic cities of Morocco like Marrakesh, Fes and Casablanca. THE SAHARA desert has been hit by an icy blast with temperatures dipping below freezing. What is the modern economy of the Saharan Desert like. If the area's annual precipitation is less than half the threshold (50%), it is classified as a BW (desert climate), while 50-100% the threshold results in a semi-arid climate.[5]. A fair number of the livestock consists of two-humped Bactrian camels, still used for transportation in some areas. Although the massifs of the dry tropics often receive small quantities of precipitation throughout the year, the lowlands have a single summer maximum. In other words, reptiles can use this energy elsewhere, like hunting. The suns rays are reflected off the sand, which causes air to heat up and temperature soar. However, very rarely do temperatures drop far below freezing under the hot subtype. Plants, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures. New York, New Year celebrations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. That means that the desert only gets 10 percent of the rain that a rainforest gets! You can also go exploring in the Sahara Desert or the mountains, although the rain is beginning to increase in the northern mountain ranges. Its best to head to the coastal cities like Tangier or Essaouira during this month.. And if youre heading to the inland cities like Marrakesh, be sure to book a hotel with a swimming pool! Despite these rapid temperature swings, desert animals are well adapted for the desert's extreme temperature changes. Sahara is considered one of the hottest deserts in the world, however, the temperatures arent constant and they vary based on the area. "We had waited for 3 years for this trip to happen. The drainage of the desert is largely underground; surface rivers have little constant flow. Clear. Africa - Climate | Britannica Driest place. There is almost no vegetation in Antarctica, so the animals that live there are mostly carnivores, such as penguins, albatrosses, whales, and seals. The weather is cool enough to explore the cities, although the nights can get very cold. Why do magnets have north and south poles? If you're prepared for cold and snow, you could also plan to spend a day skiing in the nearby Atlas mountains. On the plateau and on the plains beneath the mountains, small bushlike vegetation occurs: Echinochloa (a type of succulent grass found in warm regions), yellowwood bean caper, winter fat (a shrub covered with densely matted hairs), nitre bush, and bushlike halophytic vegetation. Held in the coastal city of Agadir every July, this festival draws artists from all over the world to celebrate Amazigh and Berber culture and music. Unlike other regions in which water vapor cools down air and soil to create an even gradient between warm days and cold nights, there are no bodies of water here for that effect to happen so quickly transition from hot sandstone rocks or dry leaves on ground have made this area one of earths hottest!