‘Pancake circle’: Another unique ice formation discovered in the waters of Manitoba

WINNIPEG –

From soccer balls to iced pancakes, the water in Manitoba is showing off the unique shapes it can create.

Ice pancakes have been discovered in Winnipeg Beach and in York Landing.

Greg McCullough, a geographer at the University of Manitoba, said the formation was created when ice crystals began to gather in small groups on the surface of the water in slightly wavy conditions.

“They’ll tend to grow outward in a circle, and then gradually ice will form and these groups will jostle together. So they’ll wobble around and they’ll knock off any Any rough edges and you’ll end up saying McCullough.

With waves, he added, the ice doesn’t have a chance to stick together and form a big block and that will only happen when the water calms down.

These shapes are not rare and uncommon, McCullough said, and if people look for them they will eventually find them, adding the right conditions are needed to create the shapes.

Ice balls have also been found in the province on Lake Manitoba.

A photo taken on November 21, 2021, showing a weather phenomenon that caused Lake Manitoba near Steep Rock to be covered with ice balls. (Submitted: Carly Price)

Experts say snowflakes that freeze on the water, mixed with waves or wind can turn things upside down and create a snowball shape.

– With files from CTV’s Danton Unger.