Pink snow is alive in the Cascade Range and it’s causing climate change

It’s not a trick of the light and you are not going crazy, pink snow does exist. In the spring and summer months, snow in Whatcom County’s mountains can turn pink. The color comes from an algae that can be found in alpine regions across the globe, and is more common than people think, said Robin Kodner, associate professor of environmental science at Western Washington University. Pink snow is more than interesting, it can be dangerous for the climate.

“Snow algae are just one of the many threats to snowpack and glacier systems worldwide, including Washington state,” Kodner said. “White snow is very reflective, so it reflects solar radiation, but when you darken the snow’s surface, it absorbs solar radiation and increases the rate of snowmelt.”