The weather has been brutal in central Ohio this winter. Snow, wind, frigid temperatures, more snow, and more frigid temperatures keep us rushing in from outdoor chores and not spending any extra time outside. Or so it was until Monday morning when we looked outside and saw what appeared to be snowballs littering our lawn.
Further inspection revealed that each rosette snow roll was preceded by a wispy trail like that of an airplane in the sky. Some seemed perched atop wind-carved pedestals reminiscent of sandstone formations in the desert South West.
Meteorologists say these very rare formations occur when an inch of wet snow tops a layer of icy snow. High winds push the wet snow into natural snowballs, also called snow donuts, snow logs, or snow bales.
With a gentle touch, we can scoop up the snow rollers. They’re more delicate than a well-packed snowball but made a lovely snow roller girl.
Thank you, winter, for a new way to play in the snow!