Unusual rains this September have caused parts of the Sahara Desert to green. This was driven by an extratropical cyclone and a northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. NASA satellite images show the desert blooming and dry lakes refilling. Although the rains have caused destructive flooding, they bring short-term ecological benefits, reminiscent of the Sahara’s wetter ancient past.
Because so much of desert life and culture is adapted to making the most of freak rainfall events like this one, the water will help preserve delicate livelihoods for months, even years to come.
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