BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Residents across Birmingham woke up Thursday to find their cars covered in streaks and spots of dirt, prompting confusion and speculation about the cause of the unusual phenomenon.
Drivers from Leeds to Mountain Brook reported the strange residue, describing it as if their vehicles had been splattered with mud after a light shower.
The phenomenon, commonly called “muddy rain,” occurs when airborne dust and pollutants mix with precipitation, resulting in dirty spots on surfaces after the rain dries. Meteorologists say the dust can originate from distant sources, including dust storms in the western United States, and is carried high into the atmosphere before being deposited by rainfall. In Alabama, local red clay and industrial emissions can add to the effect.
While the dirty rain is mostly a nuisance for car owners, experts note that it highlights broader concerns about air quality. The rainwater can carry not just dust, but also pollutants and chemicals absorbed from the atmosphere, raising questions about what else is coming down with the rain.
Reports of muddy rain have become more common in Alabama in recent years, with scientists and residents alike noticing an increase in frequency For now, locals are left to wash off their cars and wonder what the next rainstorm might bring.