Fly swarm so big it looks like rain on weather radar

23 July 2014 - 16:12 By Times LIVE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
A swarm of mayflies.
A swarm of mayflies.
Image: National Weather Service/ La Crosse, WI Weather Forecast Office

Mayflies have gathered across the Mississippi River valley in a swarm so big it looks like a rain squall on radar, according to reports.

The onslaught took place on Sunday at about 8:30 pm, and peaked at around 9:45 pm, according to The Star Trbune.

The National Weather Service says that the radar loop above shows the reflected radar energy (reflectivity) from 835 pm to just after midnight. The higher the values (greens to yellows) indicate greater concentrations of flies. Note how the swarm is carried northward over time.

According to the paper the swarm left a huge, slimy mess and has been blamed for a three vehicle accident on a nearby highway.

The bugs swarm in order to mate and hatch according to  Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“What made this unique was the massive number of insects that were involved,” he said. “The signature on the radar was pretty impressive.”

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now