Kristen's Classroom: The magic of snow
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AUSTIN (KXAN) - Many Central Texas kids had the rare experience of a snow day on Tuesday, and although it doesn't come often, it certainly is a memorable (and teachable) moment.
Below are five fun facts about snow:
- Every snowflake is unique. Just like our fingerprints, there are no two snowflakes alike. This is because every snowflake follows a different path from the cloud to the ground, falling through layers of various temperatures and moisture levels, colliding with other surrounding snowflakes.
- Every snowflake has 6 arms. Because snow is simply just frozen water surrounding a particle of dust or pollen, it is largely made up of H2O - two hyrdogen atoms and one oxygen atom. These atoms form a "V" shape when forming a water molecule. So when frozen, the "V"'s organize in a pattern with 6 arms or appendages.
- Fluffy snow vs. "wet" snow. Fluffier snow tends to fall in a colder and drier environment whereas "wet" snow develops when temperatures are a little warmer and there is more moisture. Wetter snow tends to be better for snowball-making because it can pack together easier.
- You don't need falling snow for a blizzard. By definition, a blizzard must have sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or stronger and falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile. Meaning, if you already have enough snow on the ground and winds are strong enough to pick up that snow and drop visibility, you don't actually need falling snow.
- Snow is not actually white. Snow is technically translucent, and only appears white because the ice crystals in snowflakes scatter all colors of visible light equally. When all colors are scattered, our eyes perceive it as white.