Powder Storms

Periodically, the town of Devils Lake experiences heavy winds that blow a mysterious yellow powder into the town.

History and effects
In season 2, gas station attendant Jonah Mays states that the storms started happening "just a couple years back." The cause of the storms remains unexplained throughout the course of the series. The storms are similar to sand storms, but with additional psychological effects that are not directly tied to the physical effects of inhaling a fine powder. During storms, residents become lethargic and experience cognitive decline, feelings of despair, and sometimes psychotic breaks. Children seem to experience the effects less than adults. In season 3, police officer Rosa Hernandez is shown crying and piling clothes, books, and dishes haphazardly on the floor of her home during a storm while the children hide from her in the bedroom until she stops "being weird." Later, when Jose is drawing on a sidewalk with colored chalk, Rosa becomes disturbed by the yellow chalk (presumably because it reminds her of the yellow powder of the storms) and throws it into their neighbor's trash can.

Theories
It is generally assumed that the Maudlings or the Omphalos are in someway to blame for the storms. However, in season 3 CIA Agent Johnny Cameron makes passing reference to a CIA weather control project, leading some to speculate that CIA technology unrelated to the Omphalos may be to blame.