Skip to content

Stunning ice spikes spotted in and around the Peak District

Kayla Ann Newton Ice spike sticking upwards from icy waterKayla Ann Newton
Ice spikes form as a result of the way water freezes, from the outside in

Walkers have been sharing images of ice spikes from across the Peak District.

According to the Met Office, conditions have to be perfect for the weather phenomenon to take place.

If a hole appears in the ice skin, the liquid water gets squeezed up through the hole, which then forms the beginning of the spike and the process continues until the tip of the spike freezes.

Kayla Ann Newton said: "I think it looks like an ice candle.

"It was at the top of Bosley Cloud in Congleton at around 10:00 in the morning.

"I was so surprised to see it."

Sarah Watts Ice spike coming from a bird bathSarah Watts
For an ice spike to form, the air conditions need to be just right

Sarah Watts spotted an ice spike coming from a bucket in her garden in Hayfield, Derbyshire.

She said: "I thought it was really impressive.

"I've never seen one before, I had to look it up to find out what it was.

"It's still there now, it's a bit taller than yesterday."

Paul Fox Ice spike formed with a leaf in itPaul Fox
It can’t be too cold or the water freezes too quickly, and a little breeze helps the process

Paul Fox photographed one that had formed with a leaf inside in Macclesfield.

He said: "It was taken in my back garden in a small pool of water with a leaf in that had formed on my trailer.

"I have never seen one before. It was so unusual, I wondered how on earth it came to be and had to take a photo."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].