When It Rains Mud In Midland-Odessa, Texas

Midland-Odessa, Texas --  You have to admit, living in our small portion of the Permian Basin, it's safe to say that we get some pretty strange weather.  Our geographical location, mixed in with the dry sand of the region, can make the weather hazardous if the conditions are right.

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Unusual Meteorological Event

There is a rare meteorological event known as "mud rain" that occasionally comes through the area.  This rain can be compared to it literally raining mud from the sky.  It can wreak havoc on vehicles by affecting the paint if the mud is left on it too long, creating a large mess everywhere you look, and even cause roads to become slippery.  This is thanks to the obvious film of dirt that it leaves practically everywhere.

How Mud Rain Is Created

Mud rain can be formed when high winds of the Permian Basin toss up dirt, soil, and dust into the atmosphere.  It then mixes with moisture within rain clouds and collects in the sky before it falls back down to Earth.  Meteorologists suspect that mud rain is more common in arid or semi-arid regions of the world.  While it appears to be a phenomenon that looks like something out of a Hollywood movie, it is completely normal.