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@robho@mastodon.social

Post #805995

2026-02-01 04:24 UTC

I was at the Scarborough Bluffs beach today. The entire 1-km-long 100-meter-wide beach is covered with cabbage-sized frozen snowballs. Must have happened during the snowstorm. Does any one know the science behind how this happened? #meteorology #cryosphere #TorontoWeather #greatlakes #lakeontario #hydrology

Replies (4)

  • @CStamp@mastodon.social 2026-03-27 03:55

    @robho

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  • @CStamp@mastodon.social 2026-03-27 03:55

    @robho It might be this, popcorn snow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graupel Very cool.

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  • @robho Very strange! If you break one open, what's the inside like? Is it soft like snow, or granular and easy to cut/break, like neve, or hard to cut (like firn)? Or solid ice? Is it layered inside, somewhat like a hailstone? I guess that could happen if icy snow blobs were rolled around on the beach by waves or wind. Is it clean snow inside, or sandy? Going to be fun to think about this puzzle! Unless somebody responds who knows the answers. Thanks for sharing!

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  • @robho @Barbramon1 What is it called? Hoarfrost? Can especially form on slightly raised vegetation. Under certain humidity and temperature conditions and the difference between earth warmth and just a few inches away, frost can build up greatly in very unusual ways. During our last frigid snap I saw such for the first time along the highway. It appeared a truck full of cotton balls had spilled, or the medians were planted with cotton ready to harvest. Not cabbage sized however.

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