What do you get when you combine freezing temperatures, high winds, and a lot of snow? No, the answer is not only time off from school, but also a natural phenomenon called snow rollers!
These interesting snow formations have cropped up at the Church’s World Headquarters in Wadsworth, Ohio (as seen in the pictures), and around the U.S. Midwest this past winter.
Weather conditions must be perfect for these to occur. When snow falls and temperatures rise above freezing, the snow on top begins to melt. As temperatures drop below freezing again, the melted snow turns to ice and forms a thin, crusty top layer. Large gusts of wind blow under this icy layer and the snow begins to roll on top of itself. As time passes and winds continue to blow, an incredible log-shaped snow formation is created.
Snow rollers can grow to be several feet in width and depth. As every snowflake is unique, so is each snow roller. Some are hollow, thin and small, while others are large and completely filled in the center. Other names for snow rollers include “snow bales,†“wind snowballs,†and “snow donuts.â€
The wheel-shaped accumulations of snow are yet another interesting way to look at God’s Creation and how He does all things decently and in order. Conditions must be perfect and occur exactly in sequence if a snow roller is to be formed.
The interesting formations are just one of the many inspiring ways to better understand the mind of God!