SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – You know what they say about yellow snow, but what about brown snow that falls from the sky? People across the west side of the Salt Lake Valley and around the Tooele Valley experienced a strange phenomenon on Friday, when “dirty” looking snow rained out of nowhere.
But don’t worry – it’s not dangerous, although you may be saying “yuck” in your head when you find out what it really is.
PHOTO GALLERY: brown snow in Utah
FOX 13 viewers sent pictures of yellow to light brown snow from places like Tooele, from Magna to South Jordan and Eagle Mountain.
“I thought maybe the sun was shining, trying to shine strangely,” said Dave Olsen, who made a video of the yellow snow in his backyard in Copperton.
But no, it was not the sun.
Jill Taylor made a video running her hands through the very white powder.
“How does it turn white as snow, clear the snow – and then leave a brown layer on top of it?” she asked.
Kaylene Yeates in Magna thought her car was just dirty, but then she realized the brown snow was all around her.
“I was like, ‘Is the air dirty? Is it disgusting? What’s going on?'”, She said.
From the mysterious brown snow falling from the sky … to the energy flickering in northern Utah all night … does anyone else think this should be Friday the 13th? Because it definitely doesn’t feel like an ordinary Friday, the 5th. (📸 Avrielle Hauser) #utwx @ fox13 pic.twitter.com/fwsY9nqqxf
– Lauren Steinbrecher (@LaurenSnews) February 6, 2021
“When the snow turns yellow or brown, it is usually due to snow that collects pollutants when it falls into the atmosphere,” explained National Meteorological Service meteorologist Linda Chang.
But don’t be alarmed by the word “pollutants”. In the case of Friday, explains Chang, they believe that what snowed is much more organic.
“In today’s case, we believe it is caused by the dirt being collected in northwestern Utah,” she said. “We are seeing some very strong northwest winds, with gusts of over 40 miles an hour in the northwest deserts and in the salt flats.”
Chang described how an exceptionally dry winter in Utah left the West Desert soil and salt flats less frozen and compact than during a normal winter.
When the winds picked up on Friday, so did dirt and dust. It blew east, mixing with the storm that moved over the Wasatch Front.
“It is collected in the snow and, as it falls, the snow turns brown or yellowish,” said Chang.
You know what they say about yellow snow … but it’s good to play in this snow! The @NWSSaltLakeCity divides like this: 40 mph winds + dry winter = West Desert / Salt Flats dirt / dust blows east. Front dirt snow storm + Wasatch = brown / yellow snow. #utwx @ fox13 (RayAmanda Ray) pic.twitter.com/e5bNznedbE
– Lauren Steinbrecher (@LaurenSnews) February 6, 2021
A strange occurrence, but Chang said it is not dangerous.
It just means that the dirt of the Western Desert has left lawns and cars covered in a strange mixture of snow and mud.
So, go ahead and make these snow angels. Dig and make a snowman. You may only need to wash some light mud afterwards.
We received reports of brownish snow in the SL valley. Usually caused by pollutants collected by falling snow. In this case, possibly, the dirt was also lifted in the air by the strong winds to our W and NW and transported here. #utwx
– NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) February 6, 2021