MODIS true color image of South Africa, 29 July 2004.
Heavy snow fell over eastern South Africa and Lesotho during the final week of July 2004. As can be seen in the above Aqua MODIS image, acquired on July 29, the snow extended much further than the peaks of the mountains where it typically falls during the Southern Hemisphere's winter. The spine of the mountain range is highlighted by the snow, forming a slanted question mark against the brown winter landscape. The unusual snowfall trapped hundreds of motorists in mountain passes and knocked out power and telephone service across the region, according to local news reports.
Text and image courtesy of NASA's MODIS Land Rapid Response Team.