July 07, 2021

Cloudy With a Chance of Milkshakes


Cloudy With a Chance of Milkshakes
It's the Milky (high)Way.  YouTube

A lactose-themed weather event occurred in the Moscow micro-district of Ivanovo, but alas, it doesn't pair very very well with cookies. The phenomenon is called "Milky Rain" because it causes the precipitation to be completely opaque and white, like the dairy beverage. 

The downpour in the region only lasted for about ten minutes, but left white stains on the pavement. After a prolonged heatwave, local residents were grateful for the rain, even though it was so brief and highly unusual. 

This is not a unique weather situation, as it has occurred in a few locations across the US as a result of ash or dust sediment nearby. The exact cause of the milky rain in Ivanovo has yet to be determined.

Further investigation and water samples will likely be necessary to get to the bottom of things. But any Moscow resident would likely take chalky rain over some of the other white precipitation the country is noted for! 

You Might Also Like

1905: The New Year's Blizzard
  • January 01, 2005

1905: The New Year's Blizzard

One hundred years ago, Russia stood at the edge of an abyss. Problem was, no one had any idea just how deep it would go.
Flooded with Fun
  • June 07, 2021

Flooded with Fun

Citizens of Krasnoyarsk are figuring out how to make the best out of a pretty water-logged situation. 
The Irony of Weather
  • January 08, 2020

The Irony of Weather

Desperate times, and the need to create a festive atmosphere, call for desperate measures. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955