The sudden drop in temperatures helped create ice crystals in unique formations in the waters of Salmon Arm Bay. Known as frost flowers, they are formed on thin ice when the atmosphere is much colder than the underlying ice. According to Wikipedia, a temperature difference between the ice surface and the air of at least 15°C is required for the formation of frost flowers, though this can be reduced if the air is very humid. In these conditions, a layer of vapour is created directly above the ice. As the warmer, wet air meets the overlying cold air, it can condense as hoar-frost crystals on the surface. Sunday’s weather provided the perfect windless environment for the frost flowers to form.