Home / Editor's Pick /

A rare surprise in nature: Ever spotted a "ghost apple" before?

12:00
7 January 2024

A rare surprise in nature
Ever spotted a "ghost apple" before?

Settings for external content

Privacy Policy

Have you ever seen or heard of such a thing called a "ghost apple"? If not, you are not the only one.

This type of phenomena is extremely rare and was last seen in Michigan, USA, in February 2019. On this occasion, the ghost apples were spotted when a farmer, Andrew Sietsema, started pruning his apple trees.

It was spotted the night after freezing rain covered his orchard in the Fruit Ridge area of Kent County, Michigan, in ice. While we have had freezing rain before in the UK and Ireland, there have not been reports of this!

Sietsema said freezing rain had engulfed his rotting apples leaving them with an icy shell. Upon pruning the trees, while some apples fell to the ground, the rotting mush of others simply slipped out of the bottom of the hollow icy shell leaving behind the ghost apple.

Have you ever witnessed freezing rain? It produces very hazardous conditions, but is beautiful to see as it coats the surroundings. You can send in your pictures via our uploader for us to share!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Map of Europe showing low pressure over Russia and a strong cold air flow towards Eastern Europe. Significant drop in temperatures across large parts of the east.
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Frost and snowfall

Cold air intrusion in Eastern Europe
The weather map shows extremely low temperatures in Canada.
Monday, 15 December 2025

Minus 53 degrees

Record cold in Canada's Yukon Territory
Map comparison showing 44 degrees in Indulkana and minus 51 degrees in Olenyok. Coloured temperature ranges show stark global contrasts.
Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Global extremes

Almost 100 degrees difference in temperature
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday, 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList