Snow Rollers !

[Sheila & Finnley]

Hello snow lovers ! Woke up this morning to a fairly rare snow phenomenon.

 

They are called Snow Rollers. They occur when a minor amount of snow has accumulated on top of an icy layer. Add strong winds that pull out chunks of the snow and ice, and move them along the snow. These winds also need to move in one basic direction. As the snow moves, layers of snow are built up on the outside. Since the top layer of snow is light, the snow in the middle of the roll can get blown out making the shape more tubular and hollow in the middle. Kind of like rolling a jelly roll. They were everywhere this morning and it was a very interesting sight.

 

Sorry the pictures weren't better, but they were melting quickly as the temps rose today. If you look closely you can see all the bumps in the field across the roadway. There were thousands of them !

[Bonnie and Kona]

I have never seen this, Sheila! I grew up in Wisconsin with lots of snow but as you said it takes very special conditions to make it happen. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! So interesting. I can't tell how big the balls are... 3 inches or 12 inches or more? 

[Sue]

Since I am from Wisconsin, I did see this on the news, although not around where I live.

Very cool stuff!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am going to Death Valley next month. I have got to check them out.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Sheila,  I have never heard of this and it is truly amazing and so beautiful.  Thanks for sharing:)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

How cool!  I have not ever heard of these.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My husband just told me the rolling rock area in Death Valley is called The Devil's Raceway.  I have been to Death Valley three times and have never seen this. I have to find it on the map so I don't miss it this trip.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If our motorcycles can get there, you can bet I will take pictures.  The difficulty with Death Valley is that some of the wonders are see-able only by 4-wheel drive, and definitely not street touring motorcycles.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

How interesting, I love learning something new.  Nature is amazing.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We had these a few years ago and they were the most amazing thing to see, distracting as I was driving to work and trying to figure out what the heck?  That second picture is awesome showing the tracks they left.

[Jennett Pulley]

Lolli would have a great time eating every single one of those, too!