An area of the Andes mountains in northwestern Venezuela has been blanketed in snow in a hugely unusual event for this time of year. Locals have been left shocked by the May whiteout.

Residents of Merida, a colonial-era city in the Pico El Aguila mountain, are celebrating the heavy snowfall by sharing pictures on Twitter. Due to its high altitude, the area sustains its most frequent snowfalls during the months of July and August.

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The mountain’s peak is situated more than 4,000 meters (13,000ft) above sea level where the average temperature is five degrees Celsius (41F). There are also low levels of oxygen in the atmosphere, making it a relatively inhospitable place, compared to the country’s capital Caracas which boasts temperatures of up to 23 degrees Celsius (73F).

Desde el día de ayer está nevando en el Pico El Águila de Mérida. pic.twitter.com/12vtdKYj6h — Jesus Medina Ezaine (@jesusmedinae) May 9, 2018

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The state of Merida, in western Venezuela, is part of the Cordillera de los Andes, the longest mountain chain in the world.

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