Ethiopia, a unique country at the east end of the African continent, covers an enormous 1,126,829 square kilometers of land. It's the second most populated country in Africa, with a population of 114 million people. Being a highland country, many travel enthusiasts wonder: Does it snow in Ethiopia?
Topography of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia experiences different climatic conditions due to its expansive size. The Ethiopian highlands experience mild weather where temperatures vary slightly throughout the year. It has two climatic seasons: the dry and wet seasons. The wet season runs from March to September, though it is most precipitous between June and September.
Snow in Ethiopia
It does not snow in Ethiopia though occasional snow may be seen on top of Ras Dashen’s highest peak at 14,928 feet (4550 meters) above sea level.
Precipitation in the Ethiopian Highlands
Despite Ethiopia not having snow, it still records high precipitation throughout the year. The Ethiopian highlands record large amounts of rainfall from June through to September.
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Below we are going to look at the most precipitous months:
Weather in June
The highlands of Ethiopia experience average annual temperatures fluctuating between 53.8 degrees Fahrenheit (12.1 degrees Celsius) and 73.2 degrees Fahrenheit (22.9 degrees Celsius). Addis Ababa sees rainfall for 19.9 days and accumulates 3.62 inches (92 millimeters) of precipitation, while more rainfall pelts the surface of Harar, with precipitation of 3.66 inches (93 millimeters) being recorded.
Weather in July
Temperatures in Addis Ababa drop slightly; as the month goes by, different temperatures are recorded but fall between highs of 67.6 degrees Fahrenheit (19.8 degrees Celsius) and lows of 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (11.6 degrees Celsius). The decrease in temperature sees an increase in rainfall, with Addis Ababa receiving rainfall throughout the month and collects up to 8.39 inches (213 millimeters) of precipitation. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.
Weather in August
August is one of the chilliest months in Addis Ababa, with an average low temperature of 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit (10.8 degrees Celsius) being recorded. It is slightly warmer in Harar with the average low temperature recorded being 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). Harar sees rainfall for 26.9 days and accumulates up to 4.29 inches (109 millimeters) of precipitation.
Weather in September
September sees the average low temperature in Addis Ababa drop to 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (9.1 degrees Celsius). Rainfall falls for 22.2 days and collects up to 3.78 inches (96 millimeters) of precipitation in Addis Ababa.
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Average annual precipitation in Africa.
The Semien Mountains: A Unique Ecosystem
The Semien Mountains are the highest parts of the Ethiopian Plateau (more than 2,000 meters; or 6,560 feet). They are surrounded by a steep, ragged escarpment (step), with dramatic vertical cliffs, pinnacles, and rock spires. Included in the range is the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen at 4,533 meters (14,926 feet).
The lavas erupted quickly (in about one million years) 31 million years ago, as the tectonic plate carrying Ethiopia passed above what is known as the Afar hotspot, a localized spot of intense heat or magma production that is not at a tectonic plate boundary. As the tectonic plate passed over the hotspot, the general region of Ethiopia rose in elevation.
Although the plateau lies in the latitude of the Sahara-Arabia deserts, its high altitude makes for a cool, wet climate. In fact, the Semien Mountains are one of the few places in Africa to regularly receive snow, and they receive plentiful rainfall (more than 1,280 millimeters, or 55 inches). The moderate climate is shown by light green vegetation on the mountains, compared with the brown canyons, which are hot and dry.
The green tinge on the biggest escarpment (trending across the bottom third of the image) is also vegetation, showing that this part of the escarpment also receives more rain than other parts of the escarpment wall. A major canyon cuts the flatter plateau surface (image center), with several more surrounding the plateau. The Semien Mountains National Park has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its rugged beauty.
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Ras Dashen (Amharic: ራስ ዳሸን rās dāshn) is the highest mountain in Ethiopia. According to Erik Nilsson, Ras Dashen is the eastern peak of the rim of "an enormous volcano, the northern half of which is cut down about [a] thousand metres by numerous ravines, draining into the Takkazzi River." Its western counterpart is Mount Biuat (4,437 meters), separated by the valley of the Meshaha River.
The mountain often sees violent snowfalls during the night, but given that day and night temperatures vary greatly, the snow is almost completely melted in a few hours (during the hottest period of the year), for the temperature may be over 5 degrees Celsius by midday. The first recorded ascent by a European was in 1841, by French officers Ferret and Galinier.
There is no verifiable evidence of earlier ascents by locals, but the summit climate and conditions are relatively hospitable, and there are nearby high-altitude pastoral settlements.
Winter Sports in Ethiopia
Sadly, winter sports aren’t that famous in Ethiopia. The most popular sports in the country are athletics and football. Hockey is slowly gaining popularity as well. Despite the country’s apparent lack of enthusiasm towards winter sports, it has featured in the Winter Olympic Games in 2006 and 2010.
Scorching sun all year round, sweltering heat, and drought-this is the image often associated with Africa. However, it reflects reality only partially. The continent encompasses multiple climate zones, where you can find not only deserts but also vast tropical forests, majestic mountain ranges with glaciers, and even snowdrifts. Snowfalls, of course, are rare and are most likely to occur on mountain peaks.
In short, Africa is far too diverse to fit into stereotypical descriptions. We aim to provide a more complete and accurate picture by offering you an overview of the snowiest places on the continent.
In the equatorial part of the continent, the climate is hot, characterized by extreme humidity and abundant seasonal rainfall. Snow can be found here at elevations above 4,500 meters (14,764 feet). The best place to look for it is East Africa: on the peaks of Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Rwenzori, and the Simien Mountains.
Exploring Africa's Majestic Mountains
Here is a list of African countries and regions with snowfall:
- South Africa: Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho border areas, and high altitude passes.
- Lesotho: Known as the "Kingdom in the Sky" due to its elevation.
- Morocco: Atlas Mountains, including Oukameden ski resort.
- Algeria: Highlands in the north, such as the Kabylie and Aurès Mountains.
- Ethiopia: Simien Mountains, at high elevations.
- Kenya & Tanzania: Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, near the equator.
- Uganda & Rwanda: Rwenzori Mountains.
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