Climates: Phenomena of the Atacama Region, Chile

Snow in the Atacama Desert: p.1 | p.2

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If there is snow in the desert, the danger increases. We must not forget that this is an isolated sector and there is no help in the event of an accident. Water, product to thaw could erode the roads and prevent the return with the vehicle.

Puquios Sector in Paipote Creek, July 2005: With a little snow the aspect changes considerably. The hills appear more present, closer. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is rare, especially in the heights of the abandoned village of Puquios.

More information about the abandoned village of Puquios: See here

Information:

Snow in the Atacama Desert, especially in the high altitude sectors, is considered an important contribution to the groundwater system. But it should be taken into consideration that snow in the heights of the Andes mountain range disappears by sublimation. That is, directly from the solid state (ice) it is transferred to the gaseous state.