Mysterious Green Ice Seen Along NJ Highway Ahead Of St. Patrick’s Day

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Is it a rare scientific phenomenon – or the work of mischievous holiday pranksters with access to industrial-strength food coloring? That’s the question Joseph Fagan was left pondering when he encountered a strange sight while driving on I-280 in New Jersey this week: a cascading waterfall of green ice.

Fagan, the public information officer and town historian in West Orange, said he spotted the green ice around 4 p.m. on Tuesday along the cliffs of I-280 eastbound in West Orange, just above Pleasant Valley Way.

It took a moment for the weirdness to register in his brain.

“I actually passed them in the westbound lane and had to process what I saw,” he told Patch. “I then got off at the next exit and made a U-turn to head back east.”

Fagan snapped a couple of quick photos after pulling over to the side of the road, but didn’t get a chance to investigate further.

“I didn't have a chance to lick the ice,” he joked.

Fagan noted that the green ice was spotted a few weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, adding that West Orange hosts a popular annual parade that will be returning on Sunday, March 16. Read More: St. Patrick’s Day Parade In West Orange (See Event Details)

Here’s what he wrote about his experience on I-280:

“As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the world transforms into a sea of green. Storefronts become draped in shamrocks, homes are decked out in festive decor, and rivers in major cities dyed an almost suspiciously neon shade of green. In West Orange, the beloved tradition of painting a bright green stripe down Main Street signals the arrival of the town’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“But this year, something unexpected has thrown a leprechaun-sized snowcap hat into the ring. Nature seems to be getting in on the fun because green ice has mysteriously formed along the cliffs of I-280 eastbound in West Orange, just above Pleasant Valley Way.

“Move over the green stripe down Main Street because there’s a frosty new contender in town. Whether this peculiar phenomenon is a rare trick of science or the work of mischievous pranksters with access to industrial-strength food coloring is still up for debate. Could it be that Mother Nature herself is embracing the holiday spirit, taking inspiration from Ireland’s emerald coastline? Or did someone decide that dyeing beer and rivers wasn’t quite ambitious enough?

“Regardless of its origins, this bizarre and oddly timed festive spectacle has appeared in West Orange. For those lucky enough to witness the icy 280 emerald cliffs, it’s more than just a quirky roadside attraction. It’s a reminder that a little bit of magic can appear when you least expect it and that the rocks of West Orange apparently bleed Irish green.

“So, this St. Patrick’s Day, whether you’re marching in the parade, celebrating with friends, or simply sitting in traffic on I-280, take a moment to admire the many shades of green that make this season special. And if you happen to crack open a cold one, just know that West Orange’s newest icy wonder has already beaten you to it.”

• See Related: West Orange’s Local History Guru Earns Spot On State Commission

HISTORY OF WEST ORANGE

Fagan has written about other weird mysteries and odd bits of history in West Orange before, including a head-scratching stumper that many locals have found themselves pondering: “There is an Orange, East Orange, South Orange and West Orange – so why is there no North Orange?” Read More: Why Is There No ‘North Orange?’ Historian Explains NJ Oddity

Catch up with some other tales of local lore from the town historian below (click headline to read the article):

• West Orange Woman Helped Save Lives On 9/11, Historian Says
• Ex-Olympian From West Orange Recalls Her Own Bid As Teen
• First Black Athlete At West Orange HS May Be In This Old Photo
• Iconic Aerosmith Album Photo Was Taken In West Orange, Historian Says

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