Jason E. Andersen

So that was some thunderstorm we had. Torrential rain, hail, 70 plus mile an hour winds, tornados… Oh right, also, it’s December. Meteorological anomalies aside, you may have noticed your vehicle was quite dirty immediately following the storm. Did you think that was odd? You may have also smelled smoke after the storm passed. You and a lot of other people.

Bonus Fun Fact: The dust that settled unsettlingly on the hood of your car was (very likely) previously a part of Kansas. As Wednesday’s storm pushed across the Midwest, the high winds churned up dust and pushed wildfires across the dry Kansas plain. All that particulate rode in the storm some 300 miles to be dumped in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa as the cold front passed. Pretty cool, huh?

Bonus Bonus Fun Fact: That dirt might also be bad for the paint on your car (or truck, if that’s your thing). Along with the dust, there’s probably also some ash mixed in there (on account of the wildfires and all). Ash is quite basic, in terms of chemistry that is (basic is the opposite of acidic). Ash, when combined with moisture from precipitation or humidity, can become corrosive. This might cause marring on your sweet paintjob. If you get a chance, you might want to give your wheels a wash.