Russia’s Orange-Colored Snow: An interesting But Smelly Phenomenon

Russian authorities have transported a team of chemical experts to a region in Siberia in hopes that they can uncover the mystery surrounding an environmental plague of smelly, orange snow that has been falling over several towns.

What do the experts think about this very strange snowfall?

 

Of the oily yellow and orange snowflakes that fell over an area of more than 1,500sq km (570 square miles) in the Omsk region of Siberia, Russian officials stated publicly that residents are warned to not use the snow for household tasks or permit their animals to graze upon it. The admonition is in effect until the chemical tests that are underway can determine the cause of this odd phenomenon.

According to news sources, Omsk environmental prosecutor, Anton German, told the media:

“So far we cannot explain the snow, which is oily to the touch and has a pronounced rotten smell. We are waiting for the results of a thorough test on samples.”

Vladimir Gurzhey, an official with the Civil Defense Ministry told authorities that the oily, yellow and orange snow had four times the normal levels of iron in it.

What is so special about this area in western Siberia?

Omsk represents the matrix of Russia's oil industry and some 27,000 people live in the areas affected by this very strange precipitation. To even deepen the mystery, Russia’s television stations have reported that the colored snow has also fallen in the neighboring regions of Tomsk and Tyumen.

What could this orange snow mean for the future?

Only time and scientific research will eventually determine the significance of the orange snowfall. But just think about it in terms of the holidays that are just around the corner. How could orange snow change all that, you ask?

Well, did you ever hear of anyone singing about dreams of an orange Christmas?

I thought not.

Go figure.