The Natural Phenomenon in Ohio That Only Happens During Wintertime

Winter in Ohio can be inconvenient — but it can also be really beautiful.

If you’ve lived in Ohio for a few years, you may have seen some curious-looking snow figures pop up during the winter months. What look like mini snow bales are actually called snow rollers. If you've ever wondered: "Does Ohio get snow rollers?" the answer is yes! When the conditions are just right, these rare formations cover the fields of Ohio and baffle those unfamiliar with them. Read on to learn more about this natural phenomenon in Ohio.

During the winter months, snow rollers in Ohio can pop up nearly anywhere. It's a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when large snowballs are formed naturally via wind.

They can range in size from a few inches to more than a foot wide. You'll often find them in the wide open fields and rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country. They can look pretty strange from afar as if someone was in the process of making a snowman or two—but there are no footprints around. In addition to strong winds, snow rollers are formed when wet snow near freezing temperatures is combined with a thin layer of ice.

When the conditions are just right, this rare natural phenomenon adds some extra winter magic.

Please note that snow rollers form in ideal conditions, so it’s not guaranteed that you’ll see them every winter. But do keep your eyes peeled after the next heavy snowfall, you might get lucky!

In the winter of 2014, snow rollers were popping up all over northeast Ohio. To learn more about them, watch the short video below:

Have you ever seen snow rollers in Ohio before? If so, share your photos with us!

Snow rollers aren't the only natural phenomena in our state, check out this article featuring another rare event in Ohio that will blow your mind! And since we're on the subject of winter, you might want to take a look at our list of ultimate winter essentials to get you through another chilly season in the Buckeye State.