This Is Snow In Africa! Part 2

Many people don’t know this, even Africans themselves!

By Ayoub BouamriPublished 4 years ago • 3 min read

Photo by @hajarbnbrhm on Instagram [4]

Africa is the hottest continent in the world. Dallol, the ghost town of Ethiopia, holds the record of average annual temperature for an inhabited location (recorded from 1960 to 1966 as 34.4 °C (93.9 °F))[1]. The hottest three countries in the world are Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. In fact, the top 10 list of the hot countries on the planet contains six African nations[2].

Africa is hot. Extremely hot. Yet, it snows in Africa. This fact sounds surprising, but it is true. Africa can be as cold as Copenhagen in February.

Let us find out where does it snow in the land of the Sahara

Azrou – Morocco

Azrou is the town of cedar forests, macaque, and Amazigh culture. It is another pearl that embellishes the great Atlas Mountains. About 55 miles from the historical Berber city Fez.

Azrou is also a snowy town. During November, it is most likely to snow. Fortunately, this is the month when many people stop visiting the town. Thus, you have the chance to enjoy a serene winter in a quiet Berber town.

The North African town is about 11 miles from Ifrane (the Atlas Pearl that we talked about in the previous article). So do not worry! If it is not snowy in Azrou, it is definitely snow-white in Ifrane and Mischliffen's ski resort.

Chrea – Algeria

Chrea is an Algerian town located in the Amazigh Tell Atlas (a chain that belongs to the Atlas mountain). The town is also home to the Amazigh macaque, aka Barbary ape.

While Chrea’s summers are dry, its winters are chilly. In fact, it is one of the coldest towns in Algeria.

Chrea is the home of the only ski resort in Algeria. It offers a 1640 ft. slope and three lifts. The ski resort is fairly appropriate for beginners and intermediates.

Setif – Algeria

Setif is an Algerian city located in the south of the Republic of Kabylia. The historical city was part of the Amazigh kingdom of Numidia, Phoenician Empire, and Roman Empire.

The city witnesses about 20 days of snow per year and amasses 15.87 inches of snow[3].

Aïn Draham – Tunisia

Aïn Draham was originally a French military base during the colonial era. It is an Amazigh town in northwestern Tunisia near the border with Algeria.

Because of its French heritage, and the regular winter snowfall, many of its buildings have red tile roofs. The area is a favorite winter destination for many Tunisians.

Tabarka – Tunisia

In addition to its Amazigh nature, Tabarka is a mosaic⁯ of Punic, Hellenistic, Roman, Muslim, Genoese, and Turkish culture. The city is located near the border with Algeria, about 18 miles from Aïn Draham.

Tabarka’s winter is chilly and rainy with a temperature average of (7.4 °C / 45.3 °F). It is during this period of the year when people could expect snowfall.

Siliana – Tunisia

Siliana is a Tunisian governorate crossed by the iconic Amazigh Atlas Mountains. The area is home to three high peaks, which are Bargou, Kesra, and Serj. Sometimes, during winter, the region receives heavy snowfall.

Kesra, a small Amazigh village in mount Kesra, is the highest populated site in Tunisia. This ex-Roman civitas is one of the oldest towns in the world. It is also one of the few places in Tunisia where you may have the chance to see snowfall.

Midelt – Morocco

Back to Morocco but always in the Atlas Mountains. Midelt is a Moroccan province near Khenifra, about 130 miles from Fez. Like Azilal (see the previous article), visiting some rural villages in Midelt could lead to severe outcomes.

During winter, the province need alerted helicopters for rapid interventions. Many mountain roads get cut off by snow. Some people could suffer from starvation and thirstiness.

However, expert adventurers could find a real adventure in the ruthless Amazigh mountain villages like Tounfite, Imilchil, Anfgou, Taârâart, Hjiret, Tizi N´Talghaumt, etc.