Here's why there could be pink snow at Yellowstone this summer
The bright colors of the snow are produced from snow algae, which are single-celled organisms that adjust in temperatures near freezing, according to a blog post from the U.S. Geological Survey on April 3.
Yellowstone National Park
A look at the United States' first National Park: Yellowstone.
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure this summer, Yellowstone National Park may be an option because this could be your chance to see pink snow.
The bright colors of the snow are produced from snow algae, which are single-celled organisms that adjust in temperatures near freezing, according to a blog post from the U.S. Geological Survey on April 3.
Images of snow algae and snow cyanobacteria on snow fields in the Beartooth Mountains in Wyoming.
(Jeff Having, University of Minnesota)
Cold-adapted microorganisms aren’t limited to only pink snow. As the temperature rises, the algae can gather energy from the sun to create pigments that can produce snow in the colors green, orange, brown, or gray, the USGS notes.
ICE CAVES AWASH IN VIBRANT COLORS AS SUN, ALGAE COMBINE FOR SURREAL SHOW
Patches of pink snow blooms are visible in the Beartooth Mountains at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, near Silver Gate, Montana.
Image of pink snow algae scraped off of the snow surface.
(Jeff Having, University of Minnesota)
Usually, the best time to see the different colors of snow is during the spring through the fall on glacier and snow field surfaces, the USGS explains.
Image of pink snow algae on the upper snowbank and blue-green and orange-brown snow cyanobacteria in the lower portions of the snow patch.
(Jeff Having, University of Minnesota)
Other places in Yellowstone National Park where visitors can observe the pink snow include snowfields on Mount Washburn/Dunraven Pass and the remote peaks in the northwest portion of the park extending from the White Peaks to Electric Peak, according to USGS.
This story was reported from Washington, D.C.