Snow lying exceptionally low on Tristan cliffs
Snowfall visible above village may be the lowest recorded.
Photographs from Chief Islander Ian Lavarello and Administrator Philip Kendall
Wide view of the snow lying on the higher cliffs above the Tristan settlement on 2nd September 20225
Islanders woke on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 to the sight of snow lying remarkably low on the cliffs above the village.
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello captured the view of the snowfall from aboard the fishing vessel MFV Edinburgh off the island.
Closer view of the snow lying on the upper cliffs above the village either side of Hottentot Gulch.
Another view from the village showing the snow lying above the 1961 lava flow.
The distinctive red-roofed St Joseph's Catholic Church can be seen near left.
A view from the Potato Patches shows snow lying at about 300m or 1000 ft above sea level.
Tristan da Cunha has a cool temperate oceanic climate. Records indicate that the mean annual temperature at the Tristan settlement, is 15.1 C. Frosts at sea level are unknown as mean sea temperatures of 18 C in February-March and 13 C in August-September, always prevent freezing temperatures in the village. However, snow falls at higher altitude on Tristan and commonly lies above 600m above sea level. The Tristan Peak is often snow-covered for long periods during the southern winter (May-September).
For more about Tristan's climate see: Tristan's Climate