© All Rights Reserved 2025 | Privacy Policy
Tax ID / EIN: 23-7441306
Skyline of Las Vegas
Real news. Real stories. Real voices.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

Uncovering the mystery of how algae makes snow green, red or orange

By Nell Greenfieldboyce
Published December 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM PST

Snow isn't always white; algae can make it look green, red, or orange, and scientists are trying to understand how and why these colorful patches appear.

Copyright 2025 NPR
Tags
All Things ConsideredScience
Nell Greenfieldboyce
Nell Greenfieldboyce is a NPR science correspondent.
Related Content
The Dining Issue
Sink your teeth into our annual collection of dining — and drinking — stories, including a tally of Sin City's Tiki bars, why good bread is having a moment, and how one award-winning chef is serving up Caribbean history lessons through steak. Plus, discover how Las Vegas is a sports town, in more ways than one. Bon appétit!