As we turn our calendars to March and the coming of spring weather, we can look back at a weather phenomenon that many Wisconsinites experienced in January & February.
National
Geographic online offers the following explanation: “Frost forms when an outside
surface cools past the dew point. The dew point is the point where air gets so
cold, the water vapor in the atmosphere turns into liquid. This liquid
freezes. If it gets cold enough, little
bits of ice, or frost, form. The ice is
arranged in the form of ice crystals.”
Rime frost forms quickly in cold wet climates; it can even form during windy weather. It has feathery ice crystals and clings to branches… it’s another form of frost that beckons you to take pictures.
HINT: Frost photo ops can disappear quickly; when wind speed increases or sunshine warms the air, those unique frosty-and-glittery photos can be lost. When you wake up to fresh frost formations, grab your phone or camera and enjoy the outdoors!
(When you come back indoors, enjoy some tea
or hot cocoa and check on line for more info on frost. Google on “images” for hoar frost and rime
frost for more examples. Breathtaking!)
M. Lynn
Schmid, Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture
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