An odd phenomenon is taking place in Russia: Giant snowballs are appearing in Siberia. While it might look like someone is preparing for the most epic snowball fight ever, these bowling-ball sized orbs are completely natural. What causes this weird weather event to occur?
It’s actually a rare combination of weather that causes the spontaneous formation of snowballs. This phenomenon occurs so infrequently, and often so quickly, that meteorologists are not completely sure what makes it happen. They do know that the snowballs start off as small pieces of ice. Wind and water combine to roll the bits of ice along the ground, where they pick up more and more snow, eventually forming large balls.
Fully formed, these giant snowballs appearing in Siberia have measured from the size of tennis balls up to more than a foot across. Siberia is not alone in experiencing this weird weather — giant snowballs have been reported in the US as well. This past winter, snowballs were popping up in Idaho, where they are called snow rollers. In the case of snow rollers, strong winds pick up wet snow, which then forms into a cylinder with a hollow center.
Snow rollers are moved along by the wind, growing larger with accumulated snow, until they become too large for the wind to push. They can look like rolls of toilet paper or even barrels, depending on the size. Conditions for snow rollers include an existing crust topped with wet snow, strong winds, and sloping ground. In 2014 snow rollers appeared in Pennsylvania and Ohio as well.
Local residents in the village of Nyda in Russia may have been scratching their heads upon finding their beach littered with thousands of these naturally formed icy orbs, but they can rest assured that giant snowballs appearing in Siberia are not a sign of any impending bad weather. It’s simply a matter of just the right conditions coming together to create an unusual and amusing sight.
Featured Image from Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
