Golden snow is a rare phenomenon that has puzzled some of the greatest minds in history. Whenever the annual blanket of snow hits the world, some regions experience what could only be described as yellow or golden snow. Snow is a wonderful delight that the Earth produces and has become a cornerstone of any Christmas celebration; however, several environmental institutions are warning about the potential health hazards that yellow or golden snow presents. What is yellow snow, and what causes it? Let’s try to answer those questions in a timely manner.
Yellow or golden snow is not to be trifled with and should be avoided
As the winter season rolls through the Northern hemisphere, one might encounter some snow with a yellow or golden tinge to it. The question is, how does this happen, and should golden snow be avoided? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Yellow snow can be caused by a variety of reasons, top of which is pollen in the air and, more dangerously, pollution.
Yellow snow can be common in regions of the world that experience spring snowfall. Notably, this is caused by pollen being released into the air that comes from nearby plants and trees. This is relatively harmless, unless you are allergic to pollen, in which case it should be avoided like the plague or someone with a very bad cough.
Pollen is essential to the Earth’s ecosystem and can turn any snow into a yellow or golden blanket
Pollen serves a vital purpose in our ecosystem, and every one of us has seen a bee buzzing around a flower, collecting pollen which will then be made into delicious honey in the hive. When this pollen is released into the air during snowfall, the effect can be quite the sight to see, with the snow turning yellow or golden in some cases.
Pollution is the more dangerous cause of snow turning yellow or gold
A more worrying cause of yellow snow is the pollutants in our atmosphere. Significant air pollution migrates to the poles and forms a thin veil over snowfall headed for the regions of the world that normally welcome some snow-based fun. However, we must urge you to steer well clear of any type of yellow snow, as it can be extremely dangerous to your health.
This can be especially true in regions of the world that have high levels of air pollution. Another reason for snow turning yellow is sand or other particles mixing with snow crystals to form a yellow tinge. A great example of this phenomenon took place in South Korea when snow fell in March of 2006 with a yellow tint. Experts deduced that the cause was sand particles in the snow.
NASA’s Aura satellite captured the yellow snow being formed due to increased levels of sand coming from the deserts of Northern China. Overall, yellow snow is not a plaything and should be avoided at all costs, just to be safe. With the US experiencing some heavy snowfall in recent times, one may find the odd sprinkling of yellow snow.
With some parts of the US seeing snow coming slightly earlier, yellow snow should be avoided
With the annual winter freeze hitting the US like a freight train, experts have warned the public to rather stay indoors and avoid any yellow snow that they might see or encounter. Winter alerts have been issued on a regular basis in the United States, but add to that the danger that yellow snow might present, and it would be a wiser decision to stay indoors this winter. If you or your little ones find some yellow snow on your daily walkabout or on a trip to the store, be sure to explain the potential danger and avoid it.