#snow donut

[adventurealldays]

Nature’s lil cinnamon rolls

[earthstory]

Snow Donuts

During winter throughout the United States, one could have found snow rolls or “snow donuts” much like these in many regions of the Appalachian Mountains. Snow donuts accumulate when sticky but light weighted snow precipitate in windy conditions. In order to accumulate, the snow must exist on a layer of ice and be wet and light in weight. The snow must also be around 0 degrees C (32 degrees F). The formations come to be by accumulating, rolling in the shape/direction of the wind, then accumulating a bit more, freezing, and rolling, and so on. The conditions have to be absolutely perfect in order for these rare formations to occur so witnessing them in nature can be a difficult and an exciting feat.

--Pete D

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1fhmvYH

References: 1. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/photo_gallery/snow_rollers.php 2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/07/us-cold-weather-_n_4557877.html 3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/photos-of-the-day/2014/01/28/34f899ca-881a-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_gallery.html#photo=4

[n-0-p-3]