Natural Phenomena, Journal Entry
Winter 2006
These "frost feathers" and "frost snowflakes" formed on the Eagle River as the vapor from the remaining open (fast flowing) sections condensed on the surface of the subzero frozen river. The ice snowflakes (ak0401 & ak0405) are about 3-4 inches in diameter. In the original photos you can see through the ice to the river bottom and the moving water.
Yet another variation of the "frost snowflakes" found on the clear frozen ice of the Eagle River. Only this time notice the change in the color of the ice. As with the other ice snowflakes, these are about 3-4 inches in diameter. It is amazing how the river’s frozen surface and the surrounding river banks were constantly in a state of flux and transformation during subzero weather without the addition of any snow. The day after these were photographed the frozen river was covered with frost feathers and looked completely different.
These are all pictures of rime ice or hoar frost. Rime ice typically forms when droplets of water in fog freeze to solid surfaces and is usually seen on trees on the sides of mountains from low hanging clouds. In this case the fog was created by open water such as a lake or river that is relatively warm in comparison to the frigid air temperatures. The beauty of the ice formations is visually very striking.
These "frost feathers" and "frost snowflakes" formed on the Eagle River as the vapor from the remaining open (fast flowing) sections condensed on the surface of the subzero frozen river. The ice snowflakes (ak0401 & ak0405) are about 3-4 inches in diameter. In the original photos you can see through the ice to the river bottom and the moving water.
Yet another variation of the "frost snowflakes" found on the clear frozen ice of the Eagle River. Only this time notice the change in the color of the ice. As with the other ice snowflakes, these are about 3-4 inches in diameter. It is amazing how the river’s frozen surface and the surrounding river banks were constantly in a state of flux and transformation during subzero weather without the addition of any snow. The day after these were photographed the frozen river was covered with frost feathers and looked completely different.
These are all pictures of rime ice or hoar frost. Rime ice typically forms when droplets of water in fog freeze to solid surfaces and is usually seen on trees on the sides of mountains from low hanging clouds. In this case the fog was created by open water such as a lake or river that is relatively warm in comparison to the frigid air temperatures. The beauty of the ice formations is visually very striking.