Frozen in time: Michigan lighthouses frozen solid by a storm turned into beautiful, giant icicles

These frozen lighthouses in Michigan could be mistaken for a scene from the disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow.

The 30ft structures have turned into giant icicles because they are standing in temperatures well below freezing.

The American photographer Thomas Zakowski, who is 56 years old, took these beautiful pictures on a trip to two cities in Michigan after a storm hit the state.

This lighthouse in Michigan looks like a giant icicle because it was frozen in place by crashing waves during a severe winter storm.

This Michigan lighthouse looks like a giant icicle because crashing waves froze around it during a severe winter storm and sealed it in.

This lighthouse picture was taken in the city of St. Joseph. During very harsh winters, the buildings can be frozen for more than a month.

This lighthouse picture was taken in the city of St. Joseph. During very harsh winters, the buildings can be frozen for more than a month.

Mr Zakowski from South Bend, Indiana, said, “The waves that crashed against the pier froze the lighthouses solid.

“What made the picture of one of them so interesting was that the storm was so strong that it lifted the scaffolding anchors left there after painting.

“In many ways, it looks like a staircase, adding something to the scene you will never see again.”

Thomas goes to St. Joseph and South Haven, both in Michigan, every year after a big storm to take pictures of the damage.

After a big storm in St. Joseph, Michigan, a lighthouse is frozen in place.

This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a scene from the snow-covered disaster movie After the next day.

American photographer Thomas Zakowski could freeze time with his shot of the two lighthouses in the cities of St. Joseph (left) and South Haven (right) in Michigan.

“An event I’m very excited about”: Mr Zakowski goes to St. Joseph and South Haven every year after a big storm to take pictures of the damage.

“An event I’m very excited about”: Mr Zakowski goes to St. Joseph and South Haven every year after a big storm to take pictures of the damage.

He said, “It depends on the time of year and the weather, but the lighthouses can be frozen for more than a month.”

“It’s different every year, but I greatly look forward to it. It was hard to get there because you had to first walk out on the pier.

“Even if my images receive a lot of favourable attention, the primary reason I do it is not because of that,” she said.

“Even though many good things are said about my photos, that’s not the main reason I take them. I only go there because I’m interested in that part of the world.’

Nature’s beauty: The waves crashed down and then froze the lighthouses and their piers solid.

More than half of the continental United States is currently being affected by a phenomenon known as a “polar vortex,” which has caused temperatures to drop to their lowest point in over two decades.

Up to 140 million Americans are getting ready for a dangerously cold start to the week. Temperatures in some cities are expected to be between -30C and -50C.

Behind another winter storm, subzero temperatures moved into a large part of the Midwest. This caused more than a foot of snow and high winds, making it dangerous to travel.