During a recent visit to Yosemite National Park, CSERC Executive Director, John Buckley, was fortunate to see an unusual event called frazil ice below Yosemite Fall. This phenomenon is rare and only occurs about a dozen times each year in the early mornings when temperatures are below freezing and water flows are high. This most commonly occurs in spring–especially in April, but sometimes in March and May, as well. Since this phenomenon is entirely weather-dependent, it’s difficult to predict in advance. Frazil ice is created when mist from the fall freezes on the cliff face. When these chunks of ice dislodge, they flow down the stream below the fall turning it into a slurry of ice. Check out the video below from the National Park Service to learn more about frazil ice.
