Africa’s Coldest Country of Snow, Glaciers, and Subzero Temperatures
Elizabeth Antidius Shumbusho | Africa Guardian
When picturing Africa, snow-covered landscapes likely aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, in certain parts of the continent, snow is not just a rare occurrence—it’s a defining feature. Among these unique locations, Lesotho stands out as Africa’s coldest country, where temperatures regularly plunge below freezing and snowfall is a seasonal norm.
A High-Altitude Kingdom
Lesotho is entirely landlocked by South Africa and holds the distinction of being the only country in the world where every inch of its territory is situated at least 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. This extraordinary elevation makes it a natural candidate for winter snowfall, particularly between June and August, when temperatures can dip to 0°C or lower.
The country’s high-altitude terrain even supports a ski resort, a rarity for Africa. Snowfall can also linger into the spring months, creating picturesque winter scenes uncommon in much of the continent.
Snow Across Africa
Lesotho isn’t the only snowy spot in Africa. Several other regions also experience frosty weather if you visit during the right season:
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, owes its icy peaks to equatorial trade winds and high altitudes. At its summit, temperatures can drop to -15°C to -29°C, particularly during southern hemisphere winters (June to September).
- Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda: Straddling the Uganda-Central African Republic border, these mountains feature glaciers, snow, and ice. Temperatures range from 20°C during the day to a frosty -5°C or lower at night.
- Northern Africa: Morocco sees snowfalls from December to February, with temperatures between -5°C and -8°C in its winter months. Algeria and Ethiopia have also recorded snow during particularly harsh winters.
- South Africa: With its southern hemisphere location and proximity to the South Pole, South Africa experiences freezing winters from June to August. Temperatures can plummet to -16°C in certain regions, with occasional snowfall in higher-altitude areas.
Lesotho’s Unique Geography and Climate
Lesotho’s location, completely surrounded by South Africa, makes it one of only three enclave nations in the world (the others being San Marino and Vatican City). Its geography—defined by mountain ranges and elevated plateaus—ensures cold winters and regular snowfall.
Even in spring, Lesotho occasionally experiences late-season snow, as was seen this year in both the country and parts of nearby South Africa. This unique blend of geography and climate makes Lesotho a winter wonderland and a must-visit destination for those seeking an unconventional African experience.
Most of the snow fell in the MalotiDrakensberg mountains, spanning about 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) across Lesotho and South Africa. Jennifer Fitchett, a scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand, revealed that there are approximately eight incidents of snowfall in Lesotho each year.
Just last September, a meteorologist highlighted a particularly early snowfall incident, remarking, “However, snow of this geographic extent and depth is indeed very unusual in general, and for this (spring) time of the year.” Fascinating satellite images from NASA’s Terra spacecraft reveal the heavy snow coverage on September 22, with another snapshot taken of the same region on September 3, weeks ahead of the wintry blast.
A stubborn low-pressure system that became isolated from the jet stream, known as a cut-off low, was responsible for driving the unexpected heavy snowfall. Meteorologist Ms Fitchett employed NOAA’s air mass back-trajectory model to trace the origins of this snow episode, demonstrating it began over the Southern Ocean before shifting northeast and eventually veering northwest towards southern Africa.
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