02/01/08

Have you looked outside today and saw big balls of snow and thought - who was participating in a snowball fight? They are not snow balls but a rare phenomenon called snow rollers.

Residents in Hazelton, Hansen and Filer reported seeing big balls of snow surrounding their yards. Most knew what they were but some thought that groups of kids were having a large snowball fight.

John Griggs, who works in Hazelton, knew they were snow rollers but has not seen them in twenty years.

Griggs says, "It's a pretty neat experience about what the good Lord can make out of just the snow and wind and everything like that. It's a pretty neat, awesome phenomenon."

They only happen when the wind and snow conditions are just right. They may look rather heavy but it is actually hollow - making it very light.

Filer resident Kitty Myers was working all night and came home to the snow rollers. She was quite surprised when she pulled up to her house.

Myers said, "I didn't see them until this morning but they were interesting and I thought big balls of snow coming from the sky."

Brittany Cooper -- KMVT News.