As ice crystals form from water vapor, snowflakes begin to fall. Beautiful snowfall benefits the world, by insulating from sub-zero cold and providing ample water supply.

What is Snow?

Snowflakes are ice crystals that have six sides, known as a hexagonal crystal structure. Snow comes from water vapor, condensing onto dust particles in the air. The ice crystals grow within the cloud, developing their six arms. Much research has been done on snowflake structure, by growing snow crystals in labs. When ice crystals join together they form snowflakes, becoming larger as more ice crystals join.

Snow forms in six basic shapes:

• columns
• needles
• plates
• dendrites
• columns with plates
• irregular

Many people refer to snow as being white but actually snow is made up of ice crystals, looking more like clear glass. As snowflakes pile up, the light is reflected and the colors are scattered, making the snow appear white.

The Benefits of Snow

Layers of snow accumulated on the ground will actually act like a layer of insulation. Snow can keep plants insulated from the detrimental sub-zero freezing temperatures. Skiers and adventures lost in the winter can survive by making a snow cave, providing shelter from the colder air and wind. The temperature within the snow cave can provide refuge from winter’s chill. Snowfall accumulation is also important in the West to water supply, providing up to 75 percent of the year round surface water supply

Snow Records and Statistics

• New York City is the largest city with the most snow annually, averaging over 94 inches a year, according to the National Weather Service, recording data for the city from 1961-1990.
• The most snowfall in one day happened in 1913, in Georgetown, Colorado when a record 63 inches fell in a 24 hour span.
• The greatest snowfall in Phoenix, Arizona happened in 1933 producing a grand 1 inch!
• Mount Baker in Washington state, holds the world record for the most snow in one year, a reported 1,140 inches accumulated in 1998.
• Almost every location in the U.S. has seen snowfall even Hawaii and Florida, as air temperatures drop below freezing. The National Snow and Ice Data Center collects data and monitors statistics on snow and ice around the United States.

Snow Terminology

Skiers have created their own snow terminology over the years to describe snow. They have derived descriptive words such as “powder” “sticky” “fluffy” “champagne powder” and “mashed potatoes”. The favorite snow condition can easily be identified as “powder” or fresh, new, natural snow, untouched by skiers.

The Snowflake Man

Wilson A. Bentley (1865 - 1931), known as “The Snowflake Man”, analyzed and photographed snowflakes under a microscope in the 1920s. He commented that “no two snowflakes are alike” yet has been proven wrong in recent years as two identical snowflakes have been captured. He adapted a microscope to his camera, becoming the first man to capture one snow crystal on film.

In his time, Snowflake Bentley captured more than 5,000 snowflakes on film. His 1931 book, "Snow Crystals", now out of print, displayed his images of snow crystals. His photographs have been digitality archived, available online. These snow crystal photographs are not copyrighted, free to be used and viewed by anyone.

Visit the Snowflake Bentley website to view the photographs.