The shape of snowflakes is influenced by the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere according to an article published in Ecotone on December 29, 2011.
Snowflakes form in the atmosphere when cold water droplets freeze onto dust particles. Depending on the temperature and humidity of the air where the snowflakes form, the resulting ice crystals will grow into a myriad of different shapes.
Wilson Bentley (1865 – 1931) from Jericho, Vermont was the first person to capture photographs of snowflakes through the use of a microscope attached to a camera. His collection of 5,000 snowflake images introduced many people to the astounding diversity of snow crystals.
Wilson Bentley photographing snowflakes. Image Credit: Snowflake Bentley Exhibit.
In 1951, scientists from an organization now called the International Association of Cyrospheric Sciences (IACS) devised a classification system that characterized snowflakes into ten basic shapes. These shapes include the stellar crystals that many people are familiar with and odd snowflake forms such as capped columns. The IACS classification system is still in use today although there are other more complex classification systems as well.
Classification of snow crystals in 1951 by the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences. Image Credit: Vincent J. Schaefer.
Kenneth Libbrecht, Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, has made extensive observations of how water molecules get incorporated into snow crystals. In his research, he has observed that the most intricate snowflake patterns are formed when there is moisture in the air. Snowflakes produced in drier conditions tend to have simpler shapes.
Effects of temperature and humidity on snowflake formation. Image Credit: Kenneth Libbrecht.
Temperature also has a large effect on the formation of snowflakes according to Libbrecht’s research. Snowflakes formed in temperatures below – 22 degrees Celsius (- 7.6 degrees Fahrenheit) consist primarily of simple crystal plates and columns whereas snowflakes with extensive branching patterns are formed in warmer temperatures.
Bottom line: a December 29, 2011 article in Ecotone describes how temperature and humidity influence snowflake formation. The most intricate snowflake patterns are typically formed during warm and wet conditions.
How do you take photos of snowflakes?
[...] How do snowflakes get their shape? | Science News | Scoop.it Kenneth Libbrecht, Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, has made extensive observations of how water molecules get incorporated into snow crystals. In his research , he has observed that the most intricate snowflake patterns are formed when there is moisture in the air. Snowflakes produced in drier conditions tend to have simpler shapes. Classification of snow crystals in 1951 by the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences. [...]
Thank you for this article! This is very helpful!
ice made from nature tends to produce snowflakes.. but man-made ice dont produce snowflakes..
that’s one way of miracle God is showing us
I’ve heard predictions for magnetic polar inversions. (Edgar Casey for one, also few other scientists). Some say about the only result will be compasses pointing South and occurr around every 600,000 years. What is Earth/Sky’s take on this?
Hi Lance,
EarthSky published an article titled “Magnetic pole reversal not a sign of doomsday” on December 5, 2011. Here’s the link: http://earthsky.org/earth/magnetic-pole-reversal-not-a-sign-of-doomsday. You can also use the search box at the top any webpage on EarthSky to explore any other scientific questions you may have.
Deanna