What is watermelon snow?

Question

Its common in michigan

Answer 1

Watermelon snow is snow that is reddish or pink in color, with the slight scent of a fresh watermelon. This type of snow is especially common during the summer in the Sierra Nevada of California. Here, at altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet (3,000–3,600 m), the temperature is cold throughout the year, and so the snow has lingered from winter storms. Compressing the snow by stepping on it or making snowballs leaves it looking red. Walking on watermelon snow often results in getting bright red soles and pinkish pant cuffs, and there are unconfirmed reports that consuming a lot of the snow can cause diarrhea.

Watermelon snow is caused by the presence in the snow of Chlamydomonas nivalis, a species of green algae containing a bright red carotenoid pigment in addition to chlorophyll. Unlike most species of fresh-water algae, it is cryophilic (cold-loving) and thrives in freezing water. Its specific epithet, nivalis, is from Latin and refers to snow.

Answer 2

In the alpine regions of Colorado it is not uncommon to find pink snow falling in the mountains. What a surprise to open your door, walk outside and find the ground covered in snow cone. Looks good enough to eat I suppose, though I don’t think I would be the brave soul to try it.

The pink hue is caused by an algae called “chlamydomonas nivalis”. Locals call it “Watermelon Snow” because it actually has a taste very similar to watermelon. The snow (and the algae) is safe to eat, atleast in reasonable quantities. Some algae can be slightly toxic, and eating too much may result in pink diarrhea.

It is pretty unbelievable that snow would fall from the sky colored pink, and even more unbelievable that it would be safe to eat and taste like watermelon. An excerpt from a recent Wowozanga article explains some of the scientific reasoning behind this.

Pink Snow in ColoradoThere are actually more than 350 kinds of algae that survive in very cold temperatures. These algae can turn the snow black, brown or yellow (just don’t confuse this with the OTHER yellow snow), too.

“Chlamydomonas nivalis” tends to flourish when the weather warms up a little after the darkest, coldest part of winter. It starts out green, then turns pink or reddish as the weather brightens. The cells have a gelatinous sheath that protect them from the strong ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes (at 12,000 feet / 3,7 kilometers on the above photo), and this sheath is what produces the pink color.

Another pink snow incident recently appeared when certain parts of Russia’s Maritime territory were coated with pink snow. This follows a yellow snowfall last month caused by pollution or possibly volcanic activity. Meteorologists suggest that the pink tint comes from Mongolian sand.

To quote Mos News: “Before it arrived in Maritime, the cyclone passed Mongolia, where sand storms had been raging in the desert. The winds of the cyclone embraced dust particles that colored the fallouts,” the experts said

Answer 3

It's common in Michigan????

I've lived in Michigan for 37 years and this is the first time I've ever heard of it and don't think I have ever seen it.

Answer 4

snow that falls in the south? honestly i dont know i too am from michigan and have never heard of this,but im going to research it.interesting question

Answer 5

it resembles the seeds of a watermelon

Answer 6

i dont know