red snow

noun

Definition of red snow

: snow colored by various airborne dusts or by a growth of algae (as of the genus Chlamydomonas) that contain red pigment and live in the upper layer of snow; also : an alga causing red snow

Recent Examples of red snow from the Web

Cerveny said that Charles Darwin once encountered red snow in the Andes, while pink snow was reported in the U.S., in Alma, Colo., in 1895.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Like 'skiing on Mars:' Orange snow blankets Eastern Europe," 26 Mar. 2018
At the Jumunjin Fish Market, the largest fish market on South Korea’s east coast, vendors sell red snow crab, octopus, mackerel, sole, flounder and a whole medley of sashimi.

— soon kang, charlotteobserver, "Olympic host region known for simple, heartwarming fare | Charlotte Observer," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'red snow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.