Top-8 Deserts Around the World that Receives Snowfall, Know the Names

When we think of deserts, the first picture that comes to mind is endless sand, scorching heat, and dry winds. But nature is full of surprises. Some deserts around the world, despite being dry and barren, actually receive snowfall. These rare events turn golden sand into white wonderlands. Let’s explore the top deserts where this unusual mix of heat and snow can be seen.

Top-8 Deserts That Receive Snowfall

When we hear the word desert, most people imagine blazing sun, endless sand, and no sign of water. But not all deserts are only about heat and dryness. Some deserts around the world actually witness snowfall, turning golden sand or dry plains into white, frozen landscapes. These unusual weather events usually occur in high-altitude deserts or due to sudden climatic changes.

Here are the names of top-8 deserts that receive snowfall:

• Gobi Desert
• Great Basin Desert
• Patagonian Desert
• Atacama Desert
• Sahara Desert
• Taklamakan Desert
• Katpana Cold Desert
• Arabian Desert

Gobi Desert

Location: China and Mongolia

The Gobi Desert is a cold desert with extremely low winter temperatures. Unlike hot deserts, it gets regular snowfall in winter. The snow plays a vital role in providing seasonal water for plants, animals, and local communities.

Great Basin Desert

Location: United States

Spread across Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and California, the Great Basin Desert has a unique climate because of its high elevation. Winters are very cold here, so snowfall is a common feature. Melted snow helps replenish rivers and lakes, making life possible in this dry region.

Patagonian Desert

Location: Argentina and Chile

South America’s largest desert, the Patagonian Desert, often sees occasional snowfall, especially in its southern parts. Winters here can be very cold, and the snow adds much-needed moisture to the otherwise dry land.

Atacama Desert

Location: Chile

Known as the driest desert in the world, the Atacama rarely gets rain, but snow is possible on its high plateaus and mountains. Once in a few years, heavy snowfalls occur—such as in 2007 when up to 15 cm of snow covered the desert. This snow provides water for farming and supports local wildlife.

Sahara Desert

Location: North Africa

The Sahara Desert, the world’s largest hot desert, has surprised everyone with rare snowfalls. The town of Aïn Séfra in Algeria has recorded snow multiple times—in 1979, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The snow usually melts quickly, but even a short-lived snowfall in the Sahara is considered a miracle of nature.

Taklamakan Desert

Location: China

Located in China’s Xinjiang region, the Taklamakan Desert is very cold in winter. It occasionally gets thin snow cover, turning its sandy stretches white for a short time. The snow here is rare but fascinating, given the desert’s harsh climate.

Kaptana Cold Desert

Location: Pakistan

Also known as the Cold Desert of Skardu, the Katpana Desert in Gilgit-Baltistan lies at a very high altitude. Because of this, it receives regular snowfall in winter, making it one of the few deserts in the world where snow is expected every year.

Arabian Desert

Location: Saudi Arabia and Jordan

The Arabian Desert, famous for scorching heat, has also seen rare snowfalls in regions like Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. These events happen only occasionally, but when they do, the sight of camels walking through snow-covered dunes is unforgettable.