Feb 09, 2015 03:52 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

A strange substance raining down on car windshields across the states of Oregon and Washington is actually volcanic ash that made its way across the Pacific Ocean from Russia.

According to CNN's meteorologist Derek Van Dam, a strong jet stream could have brought the ash from Mexico, but more likely it came from Russia. There are active volcanoes in both areas and Mexico's is about 2,000 miles from Oregon and Washington whereas Russia's is 4,000 miles away.

"The strong southerly flow from the jet stream could have brought it from an active volcano in southwest Colima, Mexico. But if we go farther west towards eastern Russia, there's another active volcano there," Van Dam said.

Washington state's Walla Walla County Emergency said in a statement on their Facebook page that they believe the ash came from Russia.

"While it was posted that the substance is likely ash is from Volcano Shiveluch, they are a number of volcanoes that are currently active," they said. "The source of the material has not been scientifically confirmed. According to a story posted by The Spokesman Review: "One meteorologist speculated that the dirt was volcanic ash that got into the atmosphere from Mexico."

The U.S. National Weather Service in Spokane, Wash. was providing intermittent updates on the situation starting Saturday.

"We have heard a few theories thus far including; volcanic ash from Mexico or Russia, dust picked up from last night's strong winds, or perhaps ash from last year's wildfires over SE Oregon/SW Idaho," they said on their Facebook page. "We still don't have a definitive answer."

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