Scientists showed photos of snow “donuts” and explained the nature of the unique phenomenon
Scientists have shown a unique natural phenomenon called snow rolls/doughnuts or wind snowballs. These are multilayered bundles of snow that usually have a void inside. They can be both large and small.
This was reported by the National Antarctic Research Center.
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A rare phenomenon that strikes with beauty
As the Center emphasizes, this phenomenon is quite rare, including in the Antarctic. However, you can meet him not only here. This is due to the fact that several factors need to coincide for the formation of snow swirls:
- two different layers of snow: the lower one is frozen or covered with an ice crust, it will be like a substrate; the upper one is fresh, loose and wet, which should cover the lower one but not stick to it;
- the air temperature is close to the ice melting point (i.e., slightly above 0°C);
- The wind force must be strong enough to move the snow clumps – but not to destroy them.
- In most cases, a slope is needed to form the “donuts” – then they are easier to roll up.
“The need for all these very specific conditions to coincide is what makes snow scrolls a unique phenomenon that you don’t see often.
Since the snow in the middle of the bundle is fresh and has a low density, it easily weathered, leaving a hole (sometimes it is formed immediately when the snow blanket is wrapped),” the experts summarized.
