You’ve Got to See These Ice Pancakes That Have Formed in Illinois [VIDEO]

So far this January, our little corner of the world has already been "treated" to three wintertime meteorological events. We had Winter Storm Blair which brought with it all forms of winter precipitation. That was followed by Winter Storm Cora which was a sizable snow event. And now we are under the throes of a nameless arctic front that has put us all in the deep freeze. At the time of this writing, it is 11 degrees.

Ice Pancakes

If you're thinking you're a bit luckier than those who live farther north than you, consider that right now, it is nine degrees in Chicago. So it's not markedly different. And with that in mind, you have to wonder how they get these things up there at nine degrees and we've never seen them here when it's been even colder.

Readers, meet the ice pancakes. Ice pancakes, meet the readers.

Yes, ice pancakes. I'm guessing there's no point in expecting the butter to melt. But I kid the weather. Seriously, ICE PANCAKES. It's a meteorological phenomenon I've never heard of or seen before. I'm fascinated. Also, they look like jellyfish. Of course, who wants to swim with jellyfish? Yes, I said swim because...

Chicagoans, you do you. In the meantime, I'll tell YOU that yes, this is considered a rare phenomenon, but it's not a surprising one if you live near the Great Lakes, the Baltic Sea, or Antarctica. Clearly, these fascinating formations need bodies of water that are colder for much longer periods of time than, say, the Ohio River. And they're rare because of a few conditions that must be met. You need waves that that knock floating pieces of ice together, smoothing out the edges. Nature is amazing.

And in case you were wondering, there ARE no "ice waffles." Too bad; they really take the syrup.