The severe cold snap that has been affecting a large part of Europe reached the coast of North Africa earlier this week.  As a result, some towns in Libya and Algeria experienced a rare snow event.

Algiers, the capitol city of Algeria, along with a number of neighboring provinces, saw snow and ice accumulations measuring between six and eight inches. Several parts of Libya, including the capitol, Tripoli, received between two and three inches of snow. This was the heaviest snowfall the area has seen in many years. Snow in these cities is very uncommon given their southerly latitudes and position along the relatively warm Mediterranean Sea.

These unusual wintry conditions in North Africa coupled with the snow-drought in much of the United States, highlights how exceptional this winter season has been around the globe.