yellow rain

American  

noun

1. small, powdery yellow deposits containing the fungal toxin tricothecene, found on leaves and other surfaces in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan in the early 1980s and alleged by some to be a chemical weapon disseminated by air but claimed by others to be pollen-containing bee excrement contaminated by fungus.

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yellow rain British  

noun

1. a type of yellow precipitation described in parts of SE Asia and alleged by some to be evidence of chemical warfare using mycotoxins

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Etymology

Origin of yellow rain

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

yellow rain

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for south-west England, valid between 18:00 Monday and 21:00 Tuesday with 10-20mm falling widely and up to 50mm over Dartmoor.

From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2026

With rainfall totals increasing in South Wales, an additional Met Office yellow rain warning has been issued for Wednesday 06:00 to 23:59 GMT.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2025

A yellow rain warning, indicating a risk of flooding, is also in place in parts of the western UK.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2024

A yellow weather warning is also currently in place for South Wales, while further yellow rain warnings have been issued for Monday.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2024

A grizzled beard and yellow rain boots as he pulled up a net full of tuna or salmon or whatever.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña