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Snow and sand on a beach? Here’s how it happens.

This cool beach is located in the San’in Kaigan Geopark in Japan

People walk over drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk on February 23, 2022 in Shari, Japan. The temperature of the Sea of Okhotsk is believed to have increased by around two degrees over the last fifty years reducing the amount of drift ice by thirty percent in roughly the same period. The ice forms in Russias Amur River in mid-winter then drifts down through the Sea of Okhotsk to reach Hokkaido before disappearing again usually in March. The drift ice brings with it nutrients including plankton which boost fish stocks in the area. As the ice decreases it is expected that sea-life will be affected too. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Millions of tourists flock to beaches around the world each year according to the World Travel Organization, to relax in the warmth of the sun while enjoying the sound of the waves as they hit the shoreline.

San’in Kaigan Geopark in Japan has a beach where tourists trade in their typical bathing suits for a dry suit... and quite possibly a parka. Why? This is where visitors can see snow and sand at the same time on the shoreline. It’s a rare phenomenon that happens in late January to early February along the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido.

How does this happen?

Passengers watch from deck as they enjoy a cruise on an ice-breaking tour boat as it pushes through drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk on February 24, 2022 in Abashiri, Japan. The temperature of the Sea of Okhotsk is believed to have increased by around two degrees over the last fifty years reducing the amount of drift ice by thirty percent in roughly the same period. The ice forms in Russias Amur River in mid-winter then drifts down through the Sea of Okhotsk to reach Hokkaido before disappearing again usually in March. The drift ice brings with it nutrients including plankton which boost fish stocks in the area. As the ice decreases it is expected that sea-life will be affected too. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The rare sight actually begins in Russia. The ice comes from the Amur River in Russia which according to the World Wildlife Fund, is the longest un-dammed river in the Eastern Hemisphere. In late October, the northern half of the river begins to freeze.

The cold westerly winds flowing out of Eastern Siberia help to form the ice in the fresh water of the Amur River. According to NASA, the freshwater mixes with seawater, the water mass becomes fresher so it has less salt content than seawater alone. The fresher water allows it to freeze at a warmer temperature. The sea ice is then carried south through the Sea of Okhotsk by the Sakhalin Current reaching Hokkaido Island.

Sea ice formed delicate swirls of blue and white in the Sea of Okhotsk in February 2009. This image acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite shows the northern coast of Japan’s Hokkaido Island on February 11, 2009. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. (NASA)

The snow and ice arrive at the beach between late January and early February. This is when visitors can see both snow overtaking the beach and sea with a series of mini-bergs.

Tourists who flock to see this rare phenomenon can take a boat cruise to stay somewhat warm while eyeing the spectacular sight from the deck of the icebreaker, but adventure seekers take it to another level.

between mid-January to early February, sea ice usually moves south toward the waters off Abashiri, a port town on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, JapanNASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. (NASA Earth Observatory)

That’s where the dry suit comes in. The UNESCO Geopark actually offers a guided walk on the ice itself from the Shiretoko Peninsula with a chance to see sea eagles and sea lions along the way.

There’s even a festival to celebrate the arrival of the Siberian Okhotsk drift ice. The Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival is held in early to mid-February where local artists of the small port town carve out enormous sculptures in the snow and ice. Of course, there’s food too plus hourly cruises to go see the amazing drift ice that will begin to disappear by March and April.

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About the Author
Samara Cokinos headshot

Emmy Award Winning Meteorologist Samara Cokinos joined the News 6 team in September 2017. In her free time, she loves running and being outside.

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