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Supercooled Clouds Form Stunning Ice Kingdoms Atop Mountains

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. (AP) — Winter is over a month away, but otherworldly ice kingdoms already have formed atop some New Hampshire mountains.

Photo Gallery: Rime Ice On Mount Washington 

Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet, and Mount Adams are among those that have rime ice — supercooled water droplets that freeze when they come into contact with an object.

Rime ice creates stunning formations that look wind-blown, but it actually grows into the direction of the wind.

Kaitlyn O'Brien, a meteorologist and co-director of summit operations at the Mount Washington Observatory, said Tuesday rime ice forms when the mountain is in the clouds and temperatures are below freezing.

Rime Ice On Mount Washington
(Photo credit Mount Washington Observatory)

That can happen much of the year. She says rime ice can occur any time but it typically starts in September or October.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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