Cold Snap Prompts Rare ‘Ice Pancake’ Formation in Weir

A distinctive natural occurrence has been observed on a river during the ongoing cold spell. At Norby Weir, located near Thirsk, foam generated by the falls has solidified into circular formations known as “ice pancakes.” These discs are created when surface foam freezes and their edges are smoothed by friction from collisions between the individual discs. Nick Gow captured photographs of this unusual sight on Thursday while walking along the Cod Beck. According to the Met Office, ice pancakes are considered a relatively uncommon phenomenon that typically forms in extremely cold oceans and lakes. They are more frequently encountered in the Baltic Sea and around Antarctica, appearing only infrequently in the UK. Mr. Gow stated: “I didn’t know if it was just the water all frothed up. I’d never heard of ice pancakes.” Earlier this week, snow and ice caused significant disruption across North Yorkshire, with road conditions described as “treacherous.”