The common global image of Africa is often one dominated by scorching deserts and vast savannas, leading to the assumption that the continent is universally hot and devoid of snow. The reality, however, is far more complex and climatically diverse. Africa does experience snowfall, but it is a highly localized phenomenon, confined almost entirely to two distinct geographic regions: the highest mountain peaks near the equator and specific temperate mountain ranges in the far south and north.
The Factors Enabling Snowfall in Africa
The primary mechanism that allows snow to form and persist on a continent known for heat is extreme altitude. This principle is governed by the atmospheric process known as the lapse rate, which describes how air temperature naturally decreases with increasing elevation. For every 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) gained in altitude, the air temperature typically drops by about 6.5 degrees Celsius (11.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
In Africa, where many regions are near the equator, surface temperatures are consistently high, necessitating significant elevation for temperatures to fall below freezing. Only the highest mountain ranges can pierce the atmospheric layer warm enough to sustain liquid water, pushing their summits into the zone where precipitation falls as snow. For snow to reach the ground without melting, the air column from the cloud level to the surface must remain near or below 0°C (32°F). This condition is regularly met in high-altitude African regions, such as those exceeding 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) near the equator.
Snowfall on Africa’s Highest Equatorial Peaks
The most famous and enduring examples of African snow are found on the continent’s colossal equatorial volcanoes and massifs. These mountains, located surprisingly close to the equator, are cold year-round due to their sheer height, resulting in permanent or near-permanent ice caps and glaciers.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), is perhaps the most iconic, hosting the largest glaciers on the continent despite its tropical location. Further west, Mount Kenya, the continent’s second-highest mountain at 5,199 meters (17,057 feet), also maintains small, receding glaciers. The Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon,” straddle the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, featuring Africa’s third-highest point, Margherita Peak, at 5,109 meters (16,763 feet). These three mountain ranges hold the entirety of Africa’s remaining glaciers, which are rapidly shrinking due to climate change.
North Africa also features significant snowfall, particularly in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where peaks exceed 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Here, the snow is primarily seasonal, covering the highest summits like Jbel Toubkal from November to April, allowing for seasonal skiing opportunities.
Seasonal Snow in Southern Africa
South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho offer a contrasting type of African snowfall that is seasonal and less dependent on extreme equatorial altitude. This snow is driven by winter cold fronts that sweep in from the higher latitudes of the south, primarily occurring between June and August. Lesotho, often nicknamed the “Kingdom in the Sky” because its lowest point is already 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) above sea level, receives regular and sometimes heavy winter snowfalls.
The Maloti-Drakensberg mountain range, which forms a significant border between South Africa and Lesotho, is the main recipient of this seasonal precipitation. The highest peak in Southern Africa, Thabana Ntlenyana, sits within this range at 3,482 meters (11,424 feet) and sees frequent snow accumulation throughout the winter months. This seasonal snow is substantial enough to support ski resorts, such as Tiffindell in South Africa and Afriski in Lesotho, which rely on the cold fronts for their winter operations.