Hoar frost forms feather-like crystals on the ice surface of Patricia Lake in Jasper National Park early in the sub-zero Canadian winter climate.


A cold weather deep freeze in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies caused a unique ice formation to crystallize on the surface of Patricia Lake during the winter. On the frozen surface of the lake, water vapor from the air humidity formed into intricate crystalline patterns of hoar frost, or hoarfrost, which appear like delicate feathers or flowers in their form and shape. Surface Hoarfrost occurs at very cold temperatures with the right wintertime conditions. The Rocky Mountains get hoar frost quite often, but these perfect feathered ice crystals and patterns only occur every few years.


Size: 5700px × 3800px
Location: Pyramid Lake Road, Patricia Lake, Jasper National Park, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada
Photo credit: © Brian Van Tighem / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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