Snow at the Roque de los Muchachos

The Isaac Newton and Jacobus Kapteyn telescopes in the snow, Roque de los Muchachos observatory
The Isaac Newton and Jacobus Kapteyn telescopes in the snow, Roque de los Muchachos observatory

The Canary Islands are known as the land of eternal spring, but that’s not quite true at 2,396 metres (7,861 ft). Down at sea-level, it’s been raining. Up on the mountain, it’s been snowing.

Yesterday the road was only suitable for 4-wheel-drive vehicles, but I gather the road is open again. If you’re on La Palma, this is your chance to make a snowman. But drive carefully, and once you get above the treeline, watch out for ice in the shadows.

Snow removal at the Galileo telescope, Roque de los Muchachos
Snow removal at the Galileo telescope, Roque de los Muchachos

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

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