Snow within the Shadow of the Andes

On the jap, arid facet of the Andes, the plains of southern Argentina stretch from the mountains to the Atlantic coast. The panorama usually seems dry and brown, interrupted by colourful glacier-fed lakes, however a storm in early April 2026 blanketed swaths of the land in white. The MODIS (Average Decision Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite tv for pc captured this picture of the snowy Patagonian Desert on the morning of April 3.

Early fall has been wetter than regular in southern Patagonia, stated atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of the Universidad de Chile, noting that satellite-based estimates confirmed above-average precipitation from late March by means of early April. A lot of the area’s precipitation tends to fall on the western, windward facet of the Andes, he stated. “However sturdy winds are able to blowing some snow east into the Argentinian facet, as fantastically mirrored within the MODIS picture.”

Snow clings to the upper elevations, whereas valleys draining the big glacial lakes are naked. On this detailed Landsat picture, a stark snow line seems alongside the outlet of Lago Argentino. Additionally be aware the colour of the water. Lago Argentino and different close by lakes comprise an abundance of high quality sediment, or glacial flour, pulverized by southern Patagonia’s plentiful glaciers. This suspended sediment makes the lakes seem milky blue or turquoise.

Although snow was widespread throughout the desert after the early-season storm, the wintry splendor was fleeting. A satellite tv for pc view from the afternoon of April 4 confirmed that snow had melted from all however the highest mountain areas.

NASA Earth Observatory pictures by Michala Garrison, utilizing MODIS information from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview, and Landsat information from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.