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Article: WINTER WONDERLAND FACTS
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- December 22, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1996 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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What causes snow? The process begins in a saturated cloud with
subfreezing temperatures. Snow crystals grow as water vapor is
deposited on microscopic particles. Crystals can be shaped like
stars, columns, needles, plates or lumps. Snowflakes form when
crystals collide and stick together.
Is it true no two snowflakes are alike? Maybe not. In 1988, Nancy
Knight of the National Center for Atmospheric Research reported two
crystals "which, if not identical, are certainly very much alike. In
many years of snow-crystal collection (I have) seen no other examples
of such crystals."
How much water is in snow? The rule of thumb is that 10 inches of
snow contains 1 inch of water. But the ratio ...