Winter is often associated with the harshness of cold weather and the inconvenience of snow-covered streets. However, there is an undeniable beauty that comes with the season, particularly in the form of rime ice and hoar frost. These natural phenomena can transform the landscape into a glittering wonderland, captivating the hearts of anyone who witnesses their splendor.
A blogging friend from Texas was sharing her December garden update. Greens and herbs, along with some tomatoes, are happily growing there. Really!? I mean it looks great, just like our garden in – July! I am trying hard not to be jealous. Our garden is covered in hoar frost. I told her that. She replied:
What is hoar frost?
It made me think. My garden will look just like hers in the summer, but she will never see the beauty of winter in her garden. So I had to share what hoar frost and rime ice beauty look like.
What are rime ice and hoar frost?
Rime ice is a type of ice that forms on objects, such as trees, branches, and power lines, during cold and foggy weather conditions. It is formed when water droplets in the air freeze on contact with a cold surface. Rime ice is different from other types of ice, such as glaze ice, which forms when rain freezes on a surface. Rime ice is typically white in color, giving objects a frosted appearance. Despite its potential hazards, rime ice can create beautiful, otherworldly landscapes that are especially stunning when illuminated by the rising sun.
Hoar frost is a type of white ice crystal that forms on the ground or attaches loosely to wires and leaves. These crystals are formed during cold, calm, and clear nights when the temperature drops below the frost point of the surrounding air. The frost point is well below the freezing point of water. When the temperature falls below the frost point, water vapor changes directly into solid ice without first becoming a liquid.
Hoar frost and rime ice can appear similar to each other, and in this region, we typically refer to it as hoar frost regardless of its classification. During a hoar or rime frost event, the frost can give the impression of freshly fallen snow, but it is actually just frost that has accumulated on surfaces.
Winter officially starts on December 21. That does not mean much to us since we often already had winter for over a month. However, we are looking forward to the days getting longer again. Winter in Canada is cold and long, but very beautiful.
Hoar frost and rime ice beauty make northern winters special.
Enjoy your winter, with green tomatoes or hoar frost in the garden – whatever you get :). And feel the joy and gratitude for such a diversity of beauty!
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Anna, I almost cried looking at those beautiful photos! Thank you so much for explaining to me what hoar frost is. Maybe one day I will get to see it in person. Until then, thanks so much for the lovely photos.
You are welcome Angi! Thank you for inspiring me to share ;). It would be so much fun if you could come and see it one day.
The photos are lovely, Anna! And thank you for explaining the meaning of hoar frost; we do see something like this here in Chicago!
Oh yes, most likely you have hoar frost in Chicago too. Winter can be beautiful!
I know what regular frost is, but thanks for explaining what hoar frost is and for the beautiful pictures. Please send some of your hoar frost, snow, whatever you can spare, down to SC in time for Christmas. Please? 🙂
Oh no, where would we get our citrus fruit from, if you get frost? Better you come and see it here ;).
That was my first question, what in the world is Hoar Frost LOL It’s beautiful!!!
It is, and now you know.
I never realized those had a name! I live in Michigan, right on the lake so we get a whole lot of winter here! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything, it’s my favorite season
If we get so much winter, we better like it, right. You seem to be at the right place, enjoy!
Your pictures are just beautiful, I haven’t seen anything like it as I can remember. I wouldn’t want to see that down here in South Carolina. I Don’t think my body could stand that cold, but I guess you use to it. Thanks for posting.
Thank you! Well, you dress accordingly, and enjoy the beauty of winter ;).
“Around here we just call it hoar frost every time…” Haha, I have to agree, I actually had no idea what Rime Ice was until I read your post here, I just thought it was all Hoar Frost. I love it when it’s on settled on the trees, when the sun hits it just right, it almost warms you up no matter how cold it is.
Thanks for visiting my blog, I’m glad I took the time to come check yours out too, I will definitely be back!
Welcome Conrad, we especially appreciate local readers :).