Right combination of wind, cold creates strange snowballs called 'rollers' in Indiana, Illinois

AP ^ | 2/23/03 | staff

[CFW]

By Associated Press, 2/13/2003 11:52 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Strong winds across Indiana and Illinois whipped a fresh layer of snow into balls some as big as hay bales that most folks had never seen the likes of.

Lenora Dodd, who lives about 30 miles south of Indianapolis, did a double take when she looked out her bathroom window Wednesday and saw a snowball roll up by itself. Later, she and a neighbor went outside to inspect the thing.

[Mr. K]

pictures?

[mhking]

Ready-made for a snowball fight!

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[Pyrion]

What a waste. Taking a snowball to a radiator repair shop for show and tell. He probably lost twenty percent of its mass by bringing it in... ;)

[Lee Heggy]

Anyone got a biblical reference to weird snowballs and rumors of them? We're in the last days I tell ya.

[CFW]

There weren't any pictures with that article. Sorry!

[Grampa Dave]

We saw this on WGN last night while waiting for the Rockford Files.

My wife grew up in Illinois and remembers seeing these snow balls in fields near her home.

[Djarum]

[Conspiracy Guy]

Do these snow balls smell like cheese or sour kraut. I know the French and the Germans are behind this.

[dasboot]

Southeastern Massachusetts is riddled with these things. I've been racking by brain, trying to figere out just what caused them. Thanks! (baseball to softball size)

We had about 10" on the ground, followed by a strong wind-driven snow squall yesterday.

[CFW]

Wait. I found some.

[Miss Marple]

These were all around here yesterday, in all of the open fields. Strangest thing I ever have seen.

We had 3-4 inches of very light, large-flaked snow, followed by high winds. Rolled snow up all over the place.

The Midwest is never boring. LOL!

[mystery-ak]

Im in Decatur, Il....these *rollers* are all over the place.
The big ones are 1 to 2 feet and hollow.....the big ones are made by rolling down a hill or slope...the smaller ones are made by the wind blowing it across the lawn.....

[Always Right]

Called ''rollers'' by meteorologists, the formations are usually found in arctic regions because they need the right combination of wind speed, temperature and snow condition to form.

That is the worst cover story I have ever heard. We are being invaded by aliens and this is the best story the government could come up with! The aliens are less than 50 miles from my house. Must seek shelter immediately.

[CFW]

Must seek shelter immediately

Don't forget your duct tape!

[Diddle E. Squat]

"What's in your wallet?"

[Always Right]

Don't forget your duct tape!

Thanks, almost forgot. I had the tin-foil, but completely forgot about duct tape. Uh-oh, I hear some noises, must

[blackdog]

At least he didn't take it in the shower before going out to show it. We all know how important a shower becomes during a dramatic happening....

[AdA$tra]

Not that uncommon in Western Kansas/Easter Colorado. People in Indiana must have a low delight level.

[blackdog]

"What the hell is that?"

"I sure don't know Daryl, but don't be puttin yer lips on it like that!"