South Korea gets rare yellow snowfall

SEOUL, Mar 13 (Reuters) South Koreans were treated to a rare weather phenomenon today when yellow snow fell in the capital and elsewhere across the country.

But the snow -- containing dust or sand from the desert regions of northern China -- could pose a health hazard, the country's meteorological office warned.

''It's tough to say whether it's yellow sand mixed in snow or if it's snow mixed in yellow sand,'' a met official told Reuters.

A high concentration of the dust particles prompted the weather bureau to issue a yellow dust warning for the second time in three days.

South Korea frequently gets sand or dust storms, but a yellow snow storm is very rare.

''I have never seen yellow snow falling before,'' the met official said.

The agency said the yellow snow was a health hazard and officials have warned that the pollutants in the flurries included heavy minerals.

REUTERS SB KN1535