Everyone has heard about white and yellow snow, but did you know there is a pink snow? Pink snow has a variety of names including watermelon snow to blood snow. The snow is actually pink because it contains a naturally occurring  algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis, which is slightly toxic for humans. Chlamydomonas is usually green, but the ones in pink snow have a certain pigment called a carotenoid that gives it a red hue. The pigment is not just for show though. Its purpose is actually to protect the chlorophyll inside of the algae against the sun’s heat and UV rays. It is called watermelon snow because of its unique pink shade and because people have said it smells a bit like watermelon! Another name for this is blood snow because when it is compressed the snow turns a darker hue and when it is melted it can look as red as blood. However, while this snow may smell sweet, that does not mean it is edible. 

The pink snow is not all fun and games. Sadly, it also causes some problems. The algae also resides in glaciers, and can cause the snow and glaciers to absorb more heat, which in turn, melts the snow and glaciers more quickly. While this is helpful for the algae which needs this water to survive, it is problematic for the earth because it is speeding up the effects of climate change. 

Pink snow is becoming increasingly less rare as time goes on. While it sounds like a phenomenon, it is now a common sight in several Alps throughout the world. You can even find packs of this snow in the Sierra Nevada range and Yosemite! That means it is definitely a possibility for you to encounter this fascinating snow yourself!