What causes the size of the snowflakes?

by Andrew Sweeney (aesweeney@wsbt.com)

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Temperature determines the size of snowflakes

Temperature determines the size of snowflakes (WSBT graphic)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Feb 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2008 at 7:10 PM EDT

SOUTH BEND — We've seen plenty of snow lately. Nearly everyone's talking about this latest storm, so it's not surprising we received a Good Question about the snow.

Paula from Osceola asked, "What causes the size of the snowflakes? It's snowing now, but it's a fine snow. When I worked at the airport, I remember one night the flakes were huge."

Temperature is what determines the size of the snowflakes.

The colder the temperature is the smaller the snowflakes will be. There will also be more of them and they will be drier.

When temperatures are slightly warmer the edges of the snowflakes will melt a little bit. That water on the edges will allow smaller flakes to stick together and form larger flakes. So that means when we have larger flakes there will be fewer and wetter snowflakes.

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