Video: Illinois Snow Doesn’t Melt and Smells Like Plastic?

As northern Illinois gets another winter storm that is dumping several inches of snow across the region, videos from a snowfall last month have surfaced that are concerning to some residents

Video shows snow that doesn't melt in McHenry County, Illinois

Several videos have been posted on TikTok and other social media outlets that clearly show a ball of snow turning black when a flame is put up to it and doesn't melt.

According to the people recording, it has an odor of burning plastic.

Here's another one from Chicago that begins to burn and like the others, people in the video say it smells like plastic.

There are hundreds of videos on TikTok for the Fake Snow Challenge, with some people trying to make a connection to the train derailment in Ohio that spewed chemicals into the atmosphere.

One comment posted on the video said "It's from all the stuff they are putting in the atmosphere. Check out the several planes crossing back and forth in the sky every morning."

Another comment on social media from Carolyn M said "the way this world is going I am not surprised! we need to take better care of this beautiful world that God gave us charge of!!!! it makes me sad to see the world going to hell!!!!"

But, for those who did pay attention in science class, apparently, this burning snow trick has been around for a long time.

"It's called science. Snow is porous. The soot and smell is from the lighter. Put it in a pot on the stove, it will melt and create water. lol. c'mon man," said Andrew R.

When videos surfaced of "burning snow" in Georgia back in 2014, a conspiracy theory of this fake snow began, but this scientist debunked it in this video.

So, go burn all the snow you want. It's just science.