Snow Crystals:

Snow is a crystal of ice that forms around a microscopic particles of dust or bacteria in the atmosphere. temperature is generally less that 5D F(-15D C) when snow forms(it is much colder up there ). To freeze , at least three boomerangs – shaped water molecules link up in way that creates a six sided shape . then the crystals begins to grow as molecules after molecules of water vapors attach themselves. As the snowflake drifts around, wind , humidity and especially temperature causes it to grow in different shapes. Wilson Bentely could be called the father of snow or at least the father of snow photography. His book Snow Crystal written in 1931, amazed people with the intricate beauty nature. He identified seven basic types , Plates , Star Shapes, Column, Needles , Spatial dendrites (branched crystal ), capped column, and irregular crystal.

In cold, dry air of high cirrus clouds, there is a little moisture in the cloud. With fewer molecules to attach to each flake, snowflakes under these condition are usually simple plates or six sided column. A plate may attach to one or both ends of a column. Low clouds , where plenty of moisture allows flakes to grow large, from a variety of crystal shapes , depending mostly on temperatures . This is where the more beautiful dendrites form . Flakes have sharper tips when temperature are colder