Kristen's Classroom: Why are no two snowflakes alike?
Much like a person's fingerprints, every snowflake is unique. But how is it that this natural phenomenal produces such variety? Meteorologist Kristen Currie explains in this episode of Kristen's Classroom.
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Much like a person's fingerprints, every snowflake is unique. But how is it that this natural phenomenal produces such variety?
Snowflakes form when very cold water droplets cling to a "nuclei" floating in a cloud. Nuclei can be anything from a particle of dust to a pollen spore. Once the ice crystal forms, gravity then pulls it towards the ground. As it falls, water vapor then accumulates and freezes on the growing crystal.
The basic shape of a snowflake is determined by the temperature and humidity in the environment it forms in. The perfect six sides comes from the internal order of water molecules. Long, needle-like snowflakes will form in an environment closer to freezing, whereas flat, plate-like snowflakes form in an environment well below freezing.
Each is uniquely-different due to individual snowflakes taking a slightly different path to the ground. Different temperatures and water content at different levels of the atmosphere will give each snowflake its individual look.
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