Mysterious white dust falling from the sky coating cars and gardens overnight leaves locals in Maryland and West Virginia baffled sparking slew of conspiracy theories as officials admit they have no idea what it is

• Social media users reported seeing substance in the two states on February 23
• Reports have sparked an investigation to determine what the substance is

A mysterious white dust-like substance has been seen in the sky, coating cars and gardens in Maryland and West Virginia, sparking bizarre conspiracy theories.

Social media users reported seeing the substance in the air and on vehicles in the two states on February 23.

The reports have sparked an investigation by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

The department will work with state and local agencies to collect and analyze samples to determine what the substance is.

Residents in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, around 100 miles west of Washington, D.C., reported seeing the powder in several counties late Thursday night.

Social media users reported seeing the substance in the air and on vehicles in Maryland and West Virginia on February 23

The Maryland Department of the Environment said that the powder probably came from New Mexico and Texas.

DC News Now meteorologist Damon Matson said: ‘This is likely dust from the desert southwest, a very strong storm system causing all the wintry weather across the northern US and severe weather in the southern US.

‘It picked up the dust on the back side of the storm and dragged it across the country.

‘The dust remained elevated in the atmosphere as the storm remained strong.’

Some social media users in Maryland have claimed that small planes were seen dropping the white substance.

‘My friend in Maryland saw a small plane dropping white dust this morning. Something weirds going on,’ one user claimed.

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Terry Fletcher said there is no reason to believe that the substance is linked to the Ohio train derailment.

He said that the Northern Panhandles has not experienced any air quality issues since the train accident on February 3.

The cargo train, holding hazardous materials such as vinyl chloride, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Despite environmental officials continuing to state that air quality levels in the area are normal, residents have complained about health issues they believe could be linked to the crash, such as rashes, headaches and sore throats.

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