Modern Mysteries

'Milky' rain falls over the United States

By T.K. Randall
February 8, 2015 ·  12 comments

The rain is believed to have been tainted by volcanic ash. Image Credit: CC 2.0 JDP90 Reports of the unconventional downpour were received by the National Weather Service from more than fifteen cities on Friday.

The rainstorm was believed to have moved in from the Pacific as it covered homes and vehicles in droplets that were described as 'milky' or 'dusty', prompting concerns from residents.

Experts have since been collecting and analyzing samples of the rain in an effort to determine the origins of its strange color.The most likely explanation at the moment is that the rainstorm passed through a cloud of ash from a volcano that erupted in Russia more than 3,000 miles away. Volcano Shiveluch in Kamchatka Krai was reported to have spewed debris up to 22,000ft in to the sky at the end of January.

Another volcano that erupted in Colima, Mexico is also thought to be a possible culprit.

"Dirty" rains fell at our office & across much of Spokane. We are looking into source of this phenomena. #wawx pic.twitter.com/akad4Am3M2

— NWS Spokane (@NWSSpokane) February 6, 2015

Source: USA Today | Comments (12)

Tags: Rain, Volcano