Ice, Ice Beauty

Kathryn A. Kahler

Kathryn A. Kahler is associate editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

Some winters, nature brings air, wind and water together in just the right way. It’s those kinds of Goldilocks moments that create ice phenomena that make Wisconsin winters majestic.

Time will tell if this winter brings that type of magic. Watch the shores of the Great Lakes or Lake Winnebago for ice volcanoes, arches, canopies, caves and shoves. Take a hike along a moving river, and you might see a perfectly formed ice circle making its way downstream.

Or you may wake up one morning and be reminded of the difference between hoarfrost — when water vapor in the air freezes on surfaces — and rime ice. The latter turned many areas of Wisconsin 50 shades of white last January as fog droplets froze and continued to build on shrubs, trees and fences.

Check out these captivating images of ice phenomena from across the state over the years.

Bundle up and head out to enjoy the state’s winter wonders. Snap some photos along the way to send to the magazine — email DNRmagazine@wisconsin.gov — or tag the DNR on social media.

hotographer Michael DeWitt described this ice formation in Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in February 2018: “As the lake began to freeze this winter, conditions were perfect to create one of the most amazing natural phenomena I’ve ever witnessed in the Apostles. Big northeast seas, pounding at the exact angle necessary, blew ice into this small cove on Stockton Island.” That same wind later created waves that hollowed out the 12-foot-high arch.

Ice volcanoes form along the shores of large lakes when waves push water up through the cracks of ice shelves. If the air above is cold enough, the droplets freeze, splash to the surface and form a cone of ice. Photographer Lisa Lehmann caught this one at just the right moment on Lake Michigan near Racine.

As winter wanes, watch for ice shoves to form on Lake Winnebago and the Great Lakes. Melting ice, coupled with sustained strong winds, cause a tsunami-like surge of ice that piles up on the downwind shore. Easterly winds created this ice shove at High Cliff State Park.

Ice circles and pancake ice form in rivers, streams and, in this case, on the shore of Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. Chunks of ice break up and spin with the current or wind, causing a shearing effect that forms discs of varying sizes. They often gather slush and clump together, causing the high edges and flat center.

Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island may be accessible by “ice road” from Bayfield when winter conditions permit. Always make safety a priority when exploring ice and snow. For tips, visit dnr.wi.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/IceSafety.

Rime ice forms when supercooled water droplets in fog come into contact with sub-zero surfaces. Ice crystals deposit in long, feather-like formations that are typically white and opaque.