EarthSky | Too cold to snow? Is that possible?


Can it ever be too chilly to snow? A crack in Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier. Picture through NASA.

Can or not it’s too chilly to snow?

It hardly ever snows when the temperature drops under zero levels Fahrenheit (-18 levels Celsius). So can or not it’s too chilly to snow? It could possibly snow when it’s very chilly. As a matter of truth, snow can fall even within the coldest locations on Earth, reminiscent of Antarctica, the place temperatures are effectively under zero.

It seems that moisture is extra essential than temperature.

When moist air rises and cools, the water begins to cling to floating particles of dust or pollen. If it’s chilly sufficient, the water freezes into the advanced ice crystals we name snowflakes. Usually, the colder it will get, the simpler it’s for snowflakes to type. If there’s sufficient water, the flakes can get massive and the snow can fall.

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Can it be too cold to snow? Row of snow-covered pine trees with a birdhouse in front of them.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Elmarie van Rooyen captured this snowy scene at Smoky Lake, Alberta, Canada, on December 31, 2022, and wrote: “Was one of the vital stunning days yesterday earlier than saying goodbye to 2022.” Thanks, Elmarie!

Moisture determines if snow reaches the bottom

So it might probably’t be too chilly to snow – however it may be too dry to snow. If it’s too dry, snow crystals could type – however there isn’t sufficient water left to construct massive flakes. So any flakes that do type are so small that they evaporate earlier than reaching the bottom. The colder it’s – the quicker all this occurs – so it may appear too chilly to snow.

Irrespective of how chilly a snow-producing cloud is, if it finds a brand new supply of water, it might probably construct large snowflakes once more. That’s why Buffalo, New York is understood for its snow. Irrespective of how chilly it will get there, the clouds can choose up water from close by Lake Erie to make loads of snow.

Backside line: Can it ever be too chilly to snow? The very fact is, regardless of how chilly a snow-producing cloud is, if it has a supply of water, it might probably construct large snowflakes.

Read: How do snowflakes form? Get the science behind snow

Read: Are 2 snowflakes ever the same?



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