Considering more than a septillion (a trillion trillion) snowflakes fall each year, it’s miraculous that no two are alike. How can we be sure? By understanding how they’re formed. Snowflake formations depend on the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere. The more moisture in the air, the more complex the intricate branching designs of the falling snow. Drier conditions result in simpler snowflakes. Let’s talk about water for a second. Whenever you see water droplets, like fog or rain, it’s because there’s a tiny speck of particulate matter in the center. Water vapour condenses around tiny dust particles or pollen in the atmosphere, transforming gas into a liquid. Water freezes when a liquid turns solid. |