(Photos) Flat chunks of ice hanging from trees on the North Branch of the Chicago River

Last week there was an early February thaw in the Chicago area which melted most of the snow on the ground and led to swollen creeks and rivers including the North Branch of the Chicago River in Morton Grove and Niles.

The ice chunks, or ice flats, are something I've never noticed before this week.

As far as I can gather, or hypothesize, there was a pause in the thaw, most likely at night as it is rare this time of year for temperatures to consistently above freezing at night, leading of course to ice developing at the top of the river. Then the river levels drop to their normal levels, leaving these ice chunks, or ice flats, hanging from trees.

Today a mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet is enveloping the Chicago area. Oh, all of these photographs were snapped this afternoon.

Notice the icicles on hanging from the ice flats.

These photographs were taken in either Morton Grove's Miami Woods or Niles' Bunker Hill Woods.

If you decide to follow my footsteps please be careful. There are patches of weak ice along the river banks.