Snowflakes are intricate marvels of nature, each one unique and shaped by the environment they form in. Researchers have long been fascinated by the complexity of snowflake formation, and recent studies have shed new light on this phenomenon.
At its core, the creation of a snowflake begins with liquid water droplets in a cloud that freeze into hexagonal crystals as the temperature drops below freezing. As these crystals grow, they can develop different shapes depending on factors such as temperature and humidity.
The most common type of snowflake is an irregular shape, which accounts for about 70% of all snowflakes. This shape appears when the crystal has a complex structure with flat surfaces called facets that act like shields, preventing the crystal from growing in certain directions.
In contrast, stellar dendrites, columns, and capped columns are less common but more iconic shapes that appear at lower temperatures. The largest and most photogenic stellar dendrites form around minus-15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, scientists have also discovered that warmer temperatures are changing the way snowflakes form. For example, rising temperatures can cause supercooled water droplets in clouds to collide with falling crystals, resulting in “riming” or frosty dots on their surface.
This process not only changes the appearance of snowflakes but also affects their density and fall speed. Studies have shown that warmer temperatures are creating denser snowflakes that fall faster, which can lead to more extreme storm rates in a single location.
By studying snowflake shapes and behavior, researchers aim to improve weather and climate modeling, as well as avalanche forecasting. While no two snowflakes are alike, understanding their unique characteristics is crucial for predicting the complex and dynamic nature of winter storms.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2025/how-snowflakes-get-their-intricate-shapes