70-mile-wide wave of butterflies caught on radar, confusing meteorologists
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s ... butterflies?
A radar signature was initially thought by the National Weather Service in Boulder, Colo., to depict the migration of birds, according to The Denver Post.
4/4: Migrating butterflies in high quantities explains it. Today, the butterflies are staying close to the ground. #cowx #Science pic.twitter.com/rkpwmPRnsi
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) October 4, 2017
However, later on, meteorologists determined that the signature was likely caused by a 70-mile-wide wave of migrating butterflies after they received many reports about sightings, The Associated Press said. Painted lady butterflies – sometimes mistaken for monarchs – were reported drifting with the wind, according to the AP.
“Insects rarely produce such a coherent radar signature,” the U.S. National Weather Service Denver/Boulder Colorado explained on Facebook on Wednesday. “Migrating birds do all the time.
“Migrating butterflies in high quantities explains it. Today, the butterflies are staying close to the ground.”
This story was originally published October 4, 2017 at 7:25 PM with the headline "70-mile-wide wave of butterflies caught on radar, confusing meteorologists."