Environmental Outlook

Photo by Marny Malin Ryan Harper tries to form a snowball with a little help from his golden retriever, Saber.

By: Submitted by Directorate of Public Works | Environmental and Natural Resources Division
Published: February 05, 2009

We are all fortunate enough to live in a temperate region where winters are generally not too harsh, yet not so warm as to never see snow. For many, the sight of snow can be very exciting. This winter, we have already had a little snow and will likely see more. But, what makes it snow and what goes into making a snowflake?
It can snow when the temperature high in the atmosphere, among moist clouds, is at or below freezing and the temperature at ground level is also near freezing. Cold clouds filled with water vapor supply the moisture needed to get snow started.
Snow begins its journey when ice crystals form in the clouds. These ice crystals combine with more water vapor and more ice crystals to form snow. Once the flake has grown too heavy to be held in the cloud, it falls as snow. If these flakes thaw and then refreeze on their way down, it produces sleet.
The chemical properties of water allow for certain symmetrical, often six sided and beautiful shapes to be formed. These special properties of water and the ever-changing conditions that each individual flake faces within the clouds have led to the axiom that "no two snowflakes are ever the same."
So, next time you see snow, take a moment to consider the journey the flakes have taken and all the little details that went into making each one unique.

Environmental Outlook

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