In Gaylord, Michigan, the Upper Midwest experienced a peculiar phenomenon known as “dirty rain” on Wednesday. This unusual occurrence was the result of potent storms sweeping in plumes of dust from far-reaching areas. Severe storms in Texas and New Mexico, with gusts exceeding 60-75 mph, stirred up significant amounts of dust into the atmosphere. The dust was so thick that it not only drastically reduced visibility but was even visible from space.
Satellite images captured on Wednesday revealed the dust clouds as a distinct beige band nestled amidst white storm clouds between Texas and Louisiana. As a severe storm system developed in the Central U.S., the dust was carried northward, stretching from the southern Texas border to the Great Lakes region. The dust clouds, mixed with winter precipitation, descended as “dirty rain” across various areas including Wisconsin and Michigan.
The National Weather Service office in La Crosse, Wisconsin, shared a photo of rainwater collected in a test tube, stained murky brown by the dust particles adhering to raindrops. Playful banter ensued between weather offices, with NWS La Crosse teasing their counterparts in Kansas about the origin of the dust. Meanwhile, NWS Goodland responded in jest, offering more dust to further color the water.
Further east in Gaylord, Michigan, the local NWS office depicted tiny clumps of brown dirt speckled amidst a layer of powdery white snow, showcasing the impact of the “dirty rain.” Appreciation was expressed towards NWS Goodland for their unconventional contribution to the local topsoil. The surprising extent of the dust’s journey even amazed FOX Weather meteorologists, with Marissa Torres remarking on the dust’s ability to travel a considerable distance and remain suspended in the air before descending as “dirty rain.”
Overall, the region experienced an intriguing weather event that left residents marveling at the sight of mud-streaked windows and brown-speckled snow, highlighting the interconnectedness of weather systems over vast distances.
