Winter in Maine offers visitors and residents some of the most incredible landscapes in New England. From far away all that white stuff might look just like snow, but the reality is a bit different. Some of what you see is ice, but that’s not all mother nature has in store for us when the temperatures dip! There’s one type of ice that’s actually a bit rarer and it only comes out when conditions are just right.
Each winter, Maine becomes the winter wonderland we all expect to see. This beauty is due largely to our landscape being covered in rime ice.
number7cloud / Flickr
There are a few different types of rime ice, which means we can call it by a few different names. You may have also heard it referred to as rime frost, hoar frost, or hard rime.
WIN-Initiative / Stone / Getty Images
While the majority of the ice we see is completely clear, rime ice is different. Ice forms to the surface it’s one, but rime ice is made of small spikes with crystals.
DenisTangneyJr / E+ / Getty Images
This unique ice can look smooth and white, but that depends on whether it’s hard rime or soft rime.
cnneil / Flickr
It can be rare, but mostly it’s simply confused with regular ice.
zeze57 / Flickr
Rime ice develops quickly and is the result of foggy conditions that occur in below-freezing temperatures. When this happens small drops of water in the air freeze as soon as they hit a surface. If you’ve ever woken up to an entire landscape covered in ice, this is why! It can happen overnight.
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Hard rime can be difficult to remove from things like cars, which is a pain when you’re in a hurry.
number7cloud / Flickr
But with a little time on your hands and some patience, enjoying rime ice can be lovely.
number7cloud / Flickr It’s truly a magnificent sight so be sure to keep an eye out this season!
Have you seen rime ice in Maine recently? If so, head to the comments to let us know where you spotted it! And if you’re on the hunt for more magic in Maine look to the skies. Don’t miss the 10 best stargazing events that will light up the Maine sky in 2021!
number7cloud / Flickr
WIN-Initiative / Stone / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / E+ / Getty Images
cnneil / Flickr
zeze57 / Flickr
yellowstonenps / Flickr
It’s truly a magnificent sight so be sure to keep an eye out this season!
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