The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, recently experienced a rare snowfall, forcing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a powerful network of radio telescopes, into a temporary shutdown. This unusual weather event highlights the potential impact of climate change on even the most arid environments.
Unprecedented Snowfall at ALMA Base Camp
Located in northern Chile, ALMA's Operations Support Facility, situated at an altitude of 9,500 feet (2,900 meters), was blanketed in snow. Scientific operations have been suspended since Thursday, June 26th, due to the accumulation. According to ALMA representatives, snowfall at the base camp is exceptionally rare, with no recorded instances in over a decade.
Normal Snowfall at Higher Altitudes
While snowfall at the base camp is unusual, the Chajnantor Plateau, where ALMA's radio telescope array is located at 16,800 feet (5,104 m), typically experiences around three snowfalls annually. These snowstorms occur during the "Altiplanic Winter" in February, driven by moisture from the Amazon, and from June to July during the Southern Hemisphere's winter. Climatologist Raúl Cordero explains that some winter storms are fueled by moisture from the Pacific, extending precipitation even to the Atacama Desert's coastal areas. Annual snowfall at elevations above 16,400 feet (5,000 m) can range from 8 to 31 inches (20 to 80 centimeters).
Climate Change and Extreme Weather
The rare snowfall raises concerns about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change. The Atacama Desert, normally receiving less than an inch of rainfall per year, is now facing unexpected conditions. This event underscores the vulnerability of even the most resilient environments to changing weather patterns and the potential disruption to scientific research and operations.
- ALMA's radio telescope array is perched high on the Chajnantor Plateau.
- Scientific operations have been suspended since Thursday (June 26).
- Snowfall at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), where ALMA's base camp is located, is much less frequent.