These aren't your average ice formations By Chrissy Callahan • Joe Brooks Wintertime ice can certainly be a pain for drivers and joggers, but it can also be quite stunning at times. In recent days, fascinating ice formations have been popping up in the Midwest, and they've been captivating local onlookers and the Twitter community alike. The breathtaking phenomenon is called rime ice and it looks a lot different than the icicles you're used to seeing hanging from houses and trees. Rime ice is kind of similar in appearance to the spiky fuzz you might find on caterpillars or a cartoon monster, and it comes across as more cute than dangerous.