Snow Ghosts in the Mountains and Rimed Trees in the Highlands

[John Farley]

Recently I had the opportunity to observe some spectacular winter scenes associated with the phenomenon of rime icing, which occurs when supercooled water droplets from fog freeze onto trees and other objects.

On February 10, while skiing at Ski Santa Fe in the Santa Fe National Forest, I observed and photgraphed what skiers call "snow ghosts." These form when trees become rimed and then accumulate snow, which sticks to the trees pretty much everywhere on the windward side, due to the presence of the rime:

Then, on February 12, while driving to Denver for the National Storm Chaser Convention, I observed some "winter wonderland" scenes of rime on trees near Springer, NM:

More photos and additional discussion at:

http://www.johnefarley.com/feb10rime.htm

 

[Skip Talbot]

Beautiful and surreal. I love the contrast of the white rime against the blue sky. Thanks for sharing, John.

 

[John Farley]

Similar phenomena yesterday at Ski Santa Fe, after low clouds that enshrouded the mountain and a 17-inch accumulation of snow combined to produce rime and snow accumulatons on the trees.

More photos and discussion at:

http://www.johnefarley.com/wx30910.htm