During the winter season, the Wisconsin landscape changes drastically. But it’s not just snow that provides us with spectacular seasonal scenery. There’s also rime ice. The weather conditions have to be just right for rime ice to form, but the wait is well worth it. Take a look:

The next time the landscape boasts a wintry coating, take a closer look because it may not be snow at all. It may just be the natural phenomenon known as rime ice.
Lorie Shaull/Flickr
When the weather conditions are just right, rime ice accumulates on trees, fences, and other surfaces, resulting in some of the season’s most stunning sights.
Walimai.photo/Flickr
Typically, it looks like ice needles or feathers, which appear white as the ice crystals scatter the visible light.
Bernd Thaller/Flickr
So, what exactly is rime ice? Well, according to the National Weather Service, it’s "an opaque coating of tiny, white, granular ice particles caused by the rapid freezing of supercooled water droplets on impact with an object."
brewbrooks/Flickr

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In simpler terms, it’s formed by water droplets that are in fog when it’s below freezing.
Magdalena Roeseler/Flickr
Regardless of the reason for the ice’s formation, there’s no denying that it’s absolutely breathtaking!
Mike Lewinski/Flickr
At first glance, the soft, feathery crystals look quite similar to hoarfrost; however, the two aren’t exactly the same.
jikido/Flickr
Like we mentioned before, fog is essential in the formation of rime ice. Hoarfrost, on the other hand, occurs when conditions are moist and below freezing but without any fog.
HazelEyeGazer/Flickr

Check out the video below for a closer look at the stunning effect rime ice has had on the Wisconsin landscape.

So, did you know about this natural phenomenon? Have you spotted any rime ice recently? Tell us in the comments section.

This isn’t the only breathtaking side effect of winter. Read about another here.

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