Rare rainfall transforms Sahara Desert into oasis

A rare and extraordinary downpour has transformed parts of the Sahara Desert into a breathtaking landscape featuring blue lagoons surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes. This unexpected rainfall has led to striking images of water flowing through the Saharan sands, enveloping ancient castles and vibrant desert vegetation.

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Recent satellite imagery captured the remarkable transformation of Lake Iriqui, a well-known lake bed that had remained dry for over fifty years. In southeastern Morocco, an area typically characterized by little to no rainfall in late summer, significant precipitation was recorded in September. Over just two days, some regions exceeded their entire annual rainfall average, which is generally less than 250 millimeters.

Tata, one of the most affected areas, saw an unprecedented rainfall event, with more than 100 millimeters falling in a single day in the village of Tagounite, situated approximately 450 kilometers south of Rabat. Meteorologist Houssine Youabeb noted that such rainfall amounts have not been seen in the region for 30 to 50 years.

Meteorologists have classified this unusual weather event as an extratropical storm, suggesting it could potentially alter local weather patterns in the months and years ahead. Increased moisture retention in the atmosphere may result in more frequent storms, offering hope for the arid region.