What Is The Climate In The Sahara Desert?
The Sahara Desert is one of the driest and hottest places on Earth. It is the world’s largest hot desert, covering much of North Africa. The climate of the Sahara is extreme and largely determined by the presence of the vast desert.
Temperature
The Sahara Desert experiences extreme temperatures throughout the year, with scorching hot days and cold nights. During the day, temperatures can reach as high as 122° F (50° C). At night, the temperature can drop to as low as 32° F (0° C). The hot temperatures during the day, combined with the cold temperatures at night, can make the desert very uncomfortable to traverse.
Rainfall
Rainfall in the Sahara is very rare, with some areas receiving as little as 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain per year. The amount of rain the Sahara receives varies from year to year, as well as from region to region. The most rainfall typically occurs during the winter months, from November to February.
Winds
The Sahara is also home to two major wind systems, the Harmattan and the Khamsin. The Harmattan is a dry and dusty wind that blows from the Sahara to the Gulf of Guinea, bringing hot and dry air with it. The Khamsin is a hot, dry and dusty wind that blows from the Red Sea and can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Conclusion
The Sahara Desert is an extreme and inhospitable environment. It is one of the driest and hottest places on Earth, with scorching hot days and cold nights. Rainfall is extremely rare, with some areas receiving as little as 1 inch of rain per year. The Sahara is also home to two major wind systems, the Harmattan and the Khamsin. Together, these elements create an extreme climate that makes the desert a difficult and dangerous place to traverse.
Kyle Whyte is a notable scholar and professor at the University of Michigan, holding positions such as the George Willis Pack Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability and Professor of Philosophy. Specializing in environmental justice, his work critically examines climate policy and Indigenous peoples’ ethics, emphasizing the nexus between cooperative scientific endeavors and Indigenous justice. As an enrolled Citizen Potawatomi Nation member, he brings a vital perspective to his roles as a U.S. Science Envoy and member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. His influential research is supported by various prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, and disseminated through publications in high-impact journals. Kyle actively contributes to global Indigenous research methodologies and education, with affiliations to numerous institutes and societies dedicated to traditional knowledge and sustainability. Recognized for his academic and community engagement, Kyle has earned multiple awards and served in various visiting professorships. His efforts extend to leadership positions on boards and committees focused on environmental justice nationwide.