We've all heard the cliche "it's raining cats and dogs," but some New Mexico residents might have a new one in the works: "it's raining grasshoppers."
This might seem like an ordinary rain front on a weather map, but, that's not the case, according to the National Weather Service. (Via KRQE)
"We actually thought that the radar was broke. So, we had our technicians go out there a couple times. They couldn't find anything wrong, so we had to call the national radar depot." (Via ABC)
It turns out that sea of green was actually a massive swarm of grasshoppers caught in winds propelling them up to 1,000 feet in the air. And, a grouping so densely populated they jumped on the weather radar. (Via KOB-TV)
A local meterologist told the Albuquerque Journal the bouncy insects were everywhere. “As soon as you walk toward the first volcano out there, there’s tens of thousands of them ... You can hardly take a step without being concerned about crushing them.”
This surprising grasshopper influx had been spreading across the Albuquerque metro area for weeks.
ABC reports it's the city's "worst grasshopper infestation in 20 years."
Area environmental officials speculated heavy rainfall in the later half of last year made it perfect for grasshoppers to lay eggs. Plus, a milder winter allowed those eggs to survive. Fast forward a few months, and the pointy-legged creatures are everywhere. (Via AccuWeather)
Officials also said grasshoppers do eat away at trees and other greenery but do not carry diseases that pose any threat to humans.
