Weather Words: Yukimarimo

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Yukimarimo are like tiny, frosty tumbleweeds or snow marbles found in the coldest places on Earth. These delicate, fluffy balls of frost form in Antarctica when tiny ice crystals are lifted and begin clinging together as they are rolled by the wind. The result is a light, very small ball of frost forms and drifts across the icy landscape, looking almost too delicate to survive the harsh environment.

Unlike regular snowballs, yukimarimo are incredibly fragile and can only form under the coldest of conditions. Researchers in Antarctica found them in temperatures of -60 degrees Fahrenheit. They require just the right combination of extremely cold temperatures, calm winds, and a bit of static electricity to take shape, making them a rare and awe-inspiring site.

J​ennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.