Watch the video above: Snow rollers are being spotted across parts of the U.S.
TORONTO – This frigid winter, with its new meteorological phrases like “polar vortex” or “frost quakes” is adding yet another: snow rollers.
Haven’t heard of them? Well, that’s not surprising since these little doughnut-shaped balls of snow are quite rare.
However, there have been wide reports from people in the United States spotting the unusual winter phenomenon.
READ MORE: Polar vortex refuses to leave
Snow rollers are like giant snow balls that you might make yourself on the ground. However, these are cylindrical, hollow, and somewhat fragile.
Why are snow rollers so rare? Because there are certain conditions that need to be met in order for them to form.
First, the ground must be covered by a layer of ice.
Second, the ice must be covered by a thin layer of wet, loose snow; the type that isn’t great for making snowballs. The ground must also be at a temperature near 0 C.
The third thing, the most important, really, is the wind. The wind must be strong enough to roll the snow, but not too strong.
And fourth, there must be a bit of a slope to the ground in order to get the snow rolling.
This winter has been quite the deep freeze, but at least it’s giving us plenty to talk about.
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