Sahara Desert is turning from arid yellow to lush green. NASA captures this rare transformation
Images of green patches on Sahara Desert captured by NASA. Photograph:( Others )
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NASA's satellite images have revealed that Sahara Desert is turning green from yellow arid amid unexpected heavy rainfall and extratropical cyclone
NASA's satellite images have revealed that Sahara Desert is turning green from yellow arid amid unexpected heavy rainfall and extratropical cyclone
The Sahara Desert is undergoing a rare transformation after receiving heavy rainfall. The satellite images show how unusual weather conditions and heavy rainfall are turning the arid yellow regions into green patches.
By the end of September, some parts of the Sahara Desert would have received five times the average rainfall it gets during the month. Some areas of North Africa have been experiencing too much precipitation because of which its usually arid landscape is getting flooded, reported Live Science.
The region does receive rainfall, however, the amount of it is generally a few inches of rain every year, as per the NASA Earth Observatory.
Also Read: Central Japan hit by massive rains, floods; several casualties feared
But on September 7 and 8, the region faced an extratropical cyclone - which is a type of storm that has not been categorised as a tropical cyclone and has left behind a huge quantity of runoff water.
An extratropical cyclone over the Sahara Desert drenched parts of Morocco and Algeria – bringing up to a year’s worth of rain to some areas. 🌧️ @nasa’s Terra satellite captured floodwaters and some Saharan lakes, usually dry, filled with water. https://t.co/cuS1c73RoA pic.twitter.com/m8Ga8G0FgO
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) September 17, 2024
NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) captured the heavy rain in the Sahara Desert.
These images, captured by #VIIRS onboard the #NOAA21 satellite on Aug. 30 and Sept. 9, 2024, use enhanced color to highlight rain accumulation in the Sahara Desert.
— Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) (@JPSSProgram) September 13, 2024
Clouds are shown in light cyan, while water is dark blue to indicate moisture content.
Credit: @NOAA/@CIRA_CSU pic.twitter.com/SkFsuUPfJb
This is an instrument aboard two satellites which can capture the imagery of the entire surface of Earth every one to two days.
While comparing the satellite images, an increase in water in the region was observed after the thunderstorms. Different shades of blue were seen depending on the depth of the water and vegetation appeared green.
NASA Earth Observatory further reported that water was filled in one of the normally dry lakes in the Sahara Desert as per the satellite images.
Why is the Sahara Desert receiving heavy rainfall?
According to some scientists, the heavy rainfall in the Sahara Desert has been triggered by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
Watch: Heavy rains triggered floods in central Japan
The air from the Northern and Southern hemispheres meet in the ITCZ which is a belt close to the equator and can carry storms. This ITCZ has shifted towards the northern Sahara this year and triggered rainfall as per the scientists.
Meanwhile, other experts have said that the water in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea has turned warmer than usual which may have caused the rainfall, reported the outlet and added that it is possible for Sahara to continue receiving more rainfall in the future.
According to NASA's report, more than 38,000 incidents of extreme rainfall have happened over the Sahara, since the time weather records have been maintained. Nearly 30 per cent of that rainfall was received during the summers and some were associated with extratropical cyclones.
(With inputs from agencies)
