Home / Weather News /

Sahara Desert blooms after rare downpour

06:00
15 September 2024

Vegetation spreads
Sahara Desert blooms after rare downpour

Satellite imagery of the Sahara in 2023, and 2024, showing the spread of vegetation. - © European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

The Sahara Desert is blooming after a rare rainfall event at the end of August delivered more than 500% of the region's average monthly total.

Heavy rain with accompanying thunderstorms passed over parts of the Sahara in late August and early September.

Satellite images now show the impact of the illusive rain on the region, with vegetation growing across the typically arid desert of northern Africa.

Rare rainfall event in the SaharaFor context
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Two-part map of Europe showing temperature distribution: on the left, high temperatures above 30°C in France, Germany and Italy; on the right, significantly cooler with temperatures below 20°C in London, Brussels and Amsterdam. A white arrow between the maps marks the change in temperature.
Tuesday 19 August 2025

High summer bids farewell

Temperature changes in Europe
WindRadar forecast for Monday: Former Hurricane ERIN reaches Europe as an extratropical storm.
Friday 22 August 2025

Conversion to low

Hurricane Erin moves towards Europe
Shared image: Left: Radar showing heavy rain over South Asia, warning symbol over Pakistan. Right: People and an ambulance in waist-deep water.
Tuesday 19 August 2025

Death toll climbs

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan
All weather news
This might also interest you
Thursday 14 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Thunderstorms and continued heat
Sunday 17 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer shots from a warm week
Weather map showing a split in north-south conditions of the UK. Scotland sees widespread cloud cover while England and Wales have clear skies.
Friday 15 August 2025

Clouds on the move

North-south split in conditions
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement