x
Breaking News
More () »

Woke up with a dirty car? Here's why

Drought conditions, gusty winds and rain are to blame for the coating of dirt on your ride Monday morning.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Did you go to bed with a clean car and woke up to a dirty set of wheels? There's a meteorological explanation.

KARE 11 meteorologist Ben Dery explained that a strong low-pressure system developed in states west of Minnesota, generating strong southerly winds across the central part of the country.

Because that area is experiencing exceptional drought, 40 mph wind gusts kicked up a bunch of dirt and dust. That dirt was carried aloft by developing thunderstorms and then those storms rained on us here in Minnesota – dropping the dirt with it.

The water evaporated after landing on stuff, like your car, leaving the dirt behind.

Essentially, your ride was covered in a layer of Kansas soil this morning.

Luckily, another round of showers is possible Monday afternoon, so if you can't make it to a car wash, Mother Nature just might help you out.

Watch more WeatherMinds:

Watch the latest deep-dives and explainers on weather and science in our YouTube playlist:

Before You Leave, Check This Out