Snow in Africa and a heat wave in Europe... What's happening with the weather?

Arab Weather - In a scene that reflects the great contrast between the two hemispheres of the globe, South Africa has been hit by a severe snowstorm over the past few days, affecting the mountainous highlands. Heavy snow fell, closing some major roads and disrupting traffic, while low-lying and coastal areas experienced heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods and landslides in some neighborhoods.

South Africa is under the influence of winter... and snow is no stranger to it.

It's worth noting that countries in the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, are currently experiencing winter, which typically extends from June to August. Therefore, snowstorms during this period are considered a normal part of the prevailing winter climate there, especially in the mountainous areas that are 1,500 meters above sea level.

Meanwhile, a severe heat wave is sweeping across southwestern Europe.

On the other side of the world, large parts of the European continent—particularly southwestern regions such as Spain, Portugal, and southern France—are experiencing a severe heat wave, the first of its kind this season. This heat wave is the result of the expansion of a tropical high pressure system toward the region, which has led to the formation of what is known as a "heat dome" over southern Europe.

Temperatures in some areas reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by dry weather and calm winds, which increased the feeling of heat, especially in inland areas far from the influence of the seas.

Summer in the north... and winter in the south: a natural phenomenon every year.

This contrast in weather conditions between the two hemispheres is normal at this time of year, as the northern hemisphere enters the peak of summer from June to August, while the southern hemisphere experiences the peak of winter during the same period. This explains why heat waves occur in Europe and snowstorms in Africa.

And God knows best.