Scientists at Washington State University have solved the mystery of dirty rain that fell on portions of the Pacific Northwest in February.
The scientists reported Tuesday that the milky rain was the result of a rare weather pattern that began nearly 500 miles away near an Oregon lake.
Meteorologist Nic Loyd says a meshing of weather systems ultimately caused dirty-white-colored raindrops to fall in parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
WSU scientists say the high sodium content of the rain, combined with an analysis of wind patterns during that time, point to a severe dust storm that whipped up sand and soil at Oregon's remote Summer Lake.
The light-colored particles were carried north by strong winds and then dragged down by a rainstorm over parts of the three states.