This week, Mount Washington in New Hampshire witnessed a rare and striking natural phenomenon: large rime ice waves forming on the summit. The Mount Washington Observatory shared photos of weather observers interacting with these ice formations, which had not been seen at such scale in nearly two years. Rime ice forms when supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with surfaces, creating feathery crystal structures. The conditions atop the mountain led to a significant accumulation of nine inches of ice per hour, which is common in the area due to the high altitude and persistent freezing temperatures.
While the rime ice made for captivating images, the observatory cautioned against any attempt to replicate these scenes by hikers. Mount Washington’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, with rapid changes and extreme cold. This weekend, temperatures are expected to feel as low as 55 degrees below zero with wind chill, highlighting the dangerous conditions that can arise on the summit in winter. The observatory urged visitors to dress appropriately for the harsh conditions and avoid risky behavior.