A winter storm has created some rare ice "sculptures" along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Drone videos from Timeless Aerial Photography show areas along the shores of the Great Lake, such as Grand Haven, South Haven, the St. Joseph Michigan Lighthouses in Michigan, and Michigan City in Indiana.
Footage of well-known landmarks, such as the South Haven lighthouse and the St. Joseph lighthouse, were captured following an intense blizzard in the area. Icicles can be seen hanging from lighthouses and piers to the point where the structures are nearly covered in ice.
As the footage zooms in on the frozen structures, parts of the water appear completely covered in snow.
"The ice buildup is amazing right now," a photographer from Timeless Aerial Photography told Newsweek.
The phenomenon is particularly strange considering that temperatures around Lake Michigan have been warmer than usual in recent days.
However, when a snowstorm hit last week, it brought subzero temperatures to the region. In the footage, ice pancakes can be seen floating on the water.
Michigan City received a whopping 35 inches of snow over the past weekend, according to Chicago TV station WLS, while other areas around the lake can expect the snow to continue this week.
Usually, Lake Michigan does not freeze over completely, as it is a huge source of heat that is gradually released into the atmosphere.
The lake is the second largest in the U.S., which means it is so large it can generate its own weather patterns. Its strong waves can work to prevent the formation of ice. However, it does freeze on occasion, and sometimes stunning ice formations can be seen.
Lake Michigan is so large that it plays a huge role in influencing the climate and temperature in the surrounding cities. The lake's breeze cools the summer temperatures and can provide warmth during the winter. Cold air masses sweeping across the lake can increase snow or rainfall.
Last week, moisture was seen evaporating off the surface of Lake Michigan and forming low-lying clouds. This caused much of the snow in the area.
This is called lake-effect snow, which is when a mass of cold air moves over a warm lake, causing heat and moisture to rise. This moisture then turns cold, forming these clouds.
Other Great Lakes have been affected by the recent freezing temperatures. Winter storms also hit Lake Erie. Huge boulders that are usually at the bottom of the lake were visible following an intense storm with 65-mile-per-hour winds that pushed back the lake waters, revealing the boulders.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about Lake Michigan? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
