As Michigan was hit with winter weather and lake-effect snow on Wednesday, residents Janice and Eric Pantelleria of Paw Paw discovered dozens of neatly rolled-up snow doughnuts or cylinders across their large lawn. The snowy rollers are a rare weather phenomenon, caused by heavy, sticky snow packing together well in combination with strong winds, in this case reaching upward of 40 mph in West Michigan. These conditions can lead to the formation of cylindrical snow rolls, especially in open areas without trees. Janice Pantelleria’s husband initially thought the snow rollers were created by kids rolling snowballs in the yard, but they were actually surrounding their house.
Photos of the snow rolls taken by Janice Pantelleria were shared on Facebook and garnered a lot of attention. The unusual phenomenon caught the interest of many, with people enjoying the unique sight captured in the images. Janice Pantelleria expressed gratitude for the positive response to the photos, indicating that they were pleased to witness the phenomenon firsthand.
The snowy rollers are a result of specific weather conditions coming together to create this rare occurrence, adding a touch of wonder to the winter landscape in Paw Paw. The photos not only captured the attention of locals but also served as a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of nature during the winter season. To learn more about this phenomenon or share similar experiences, readers are invited to contact Keith Matheny at kmatheny@freepress.com.
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