Africa is often imagined as a continent of endless heat and arid deserts, making snowfall seem almost impossible. This vast landmass spans multiple hemispheres and climate zones, encompassing far more geographical diversity than commonly understood. While the majority of the continent is warm, certain regions regularly experience temperatures cold enough to generate snow and maintain ice caps. Significant mountain ranges and high plateaus across the north, east, and south create the necessary conditions for winter precipitation.
The Most Recent Confirmed Snowfall Event
The most recent widespread and confirmed snowfall event occurred in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco in December 2025. A series of cold fronts swept across the region, bringing precipitation that fell as snow at higher elevations. Specific provinces like Ouarzazate and Tinghir reported significant accumulations in the mountain peaks.
In some areas of Ouarzazate province, snow depth reached up to 50 centimeters on the highest mountain peaks. Even on the lower slopes, accumulations ranged between 2 to 7 centimeters, causing some disruption to travel through high mountain passes. This event was notable for its intensity, providing a much-needed replenishment of water reserves for the agricultural communities in the valleys below.
While seasonal snow is regular in the Atlas range, the depth and timing of this particular storm were significant. The snowfall transformed the rugged landscape into a striking winter scene. The moisture provided by these annual storms is a fundamental element of the regional hydrology.
Regions Where Snow is a Regular Annual Occurrence
Snow is a predictable, annual occurrence across three distinct geographical regions of the continent, each with its own unique climate mechanics. The Atlas Mountains, stretching across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, receive the highest overall volumes of snow in Africa. Snowfall here typically begins in the autumn and can persist on the highest peaks through late spring, often occurring between September and June.
In East Africa, snow is a constant feature of the highest equatorial peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya in Kenya. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, maintains year-round snow and glaciers on its summit despite its proximity to the equator. Likewise, Mount Kenya, the continent’s second-highest peak, receives regular snowfall above 4,300 meters, typically during the rainy seasons from March to December.
The Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon” on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, feature permanent snowfields and glaciers. These mountains receive high annual precipitation which sustains the ice at high altitudes. Further south, the Drakensberg Mountains, particularly within Lesotho, experience regular seasonal snow. Lesotho is the only country where every square meter of land sits above 1,000 meters, making snow frequent between May and September.
The Climate Factors That Allow Snow to Fall
The primary mechanism that permits snow to fall in Africa is high altitude, which overrides the effects of low latitude. Air temperature decreases significantly as elevation increases; for every 1,000 meters ascended, the temperature drops by approximately 6.5 degrees Celsius. Any mountain rising above 4,000 meters, regardless of its tropical location, reaches an altitude where temperatures remain below freezing, creating arctic conditions.
This cold air must then interact with sufficient moisture to produce snow crystals. In North Africa, cold, moist air masses from the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea move inland, encountering the Atlas Mountain barrier.
In Southern Africa, the primary driver for low-level snow is the intrusion of cold fronts and mid-latitude cyclones from the South Atlantic Ocean. These powerful weather systems push cold air far inland over the high central plateau, causing snow to fall on the Drakensberg and surrounding high ground. The combination of elevated landmass and an influx of polar air creates the necessary conditions for winter precipitation.
Significant Historical Low-Altitude Snow Events
While regular snow is confined to high mountains, rare events have occurred at much lower elevations, reinforcing the continent’s diverse climate. The most famous examples are the sporadic snowfalls recorded in the Sahara Desert. These events happen when extremely cold high-pressure systems push south, briefly dropping temperatures below freezing in the desert’s high-altitude plateaus.
The Algerian town of Ain Sefra, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” has seen snow fall several times in the past few decades, most recently in the early 21st century. These snowfalls are generally short-lived, quickly melting under the desert sun. They demonstrate that the thermal boundary for snow can occasionally dip to surprising low-altitude locations.