Snow rims and shadows in the Grand Canyon

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station photographed the Grand Canyon on January 26, 2026, capturing a light dusting of snow on the Colorado Plateau and deep, shadowed walls that create a striking visual effect. Snow flurries had fallen across much of the central and eastern U.S.

during the previous two days, and hazardous conditions in Grand Canyon National Park prompted the temporary closure of Desert View Drive and warnings about icy trails; the North Rim remains closed to traffic in winter and early spring. When the road reopened around the time of the photos, a layer of white remained on both rims: the South Rim at about 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) and the North Rim at about 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).

Snow is typical at those elevations, with average seasonal totals of 58 inches on the South Rim and 142 inches on the North Rim, while lower, warmer elevations tend to see precipitation fall as rain.

United States, Grand Canyon National Park