A captivating natural phenomenon known as “frost flowers” made a stunning appearance this morning, leaving nature enthusiasts and scientists in awe. The National Weather Service has delved into the intricacies of these ethereal creations, shedding light on their formation. Glen Conner, a respected state Climatologist Emeritus for Kentucky, provides valuable insights into this rare occurrence.
Frost flowers are delicate, paper-thin layers of ice, measuring approximately as thin as a credit card, that emerge through slender slits from the stems of certain plants, particularly white or yellow wingstem plants. These exquisite ice formations materialize under specific conditions, requiring freezing air temperatures, soil that is moist or wet yet not frozen, and the crucial element of an unfrozen plant stem. This convergence of factors makes frost flowers a once-in-a-year event, although not every eligible plant produces these intricate ice structures on the first day when conditions are favorable.
The process begins with the plant’s stem drawing water upward from the moist ground through capillary action. As the water freezes, it expands, causing the stem to split vertically. Upon contact with the frigid air, the exuded water transforms into a fragile, paper-thin layer of ice, extending outward from the stem. The length of the split dictates whether the resulting frost flower is a narrow ribbon or a wider formation. The delicate ice formations take on unpredictable, petal-like shapes as they emerge, possibly due to varying levels of friction along the sides of the split. Remarkably, no two frost flowers are identical in their design. These exquisite creations, while enchanting, are ephemeral, as they endure only until they sublimate or melt.
To catch a glimpse of these ephemeral wonders, one should venture into areas with tall weeds, particularly those left undisturbed by mowing. These frost flowers exhibit a preference for habitats shared with purple ironweed, blackberries, and wingstem plants. The delicate ice formations manifest on the wingstem plants, adding an extra layer of enchantment to these already captivating surroundings.
