Earth science
Title: Why does it snow? How do snowflakes form?
Information: Thank you for your question about snow. We've certainly seen a lot of it in the Northeast this year! A short answer is that snow crystals forms when water vapor turns to ice. When groups of these crystals clump together around bits of dirt or ice, they fall to the ground as snowflakes. The temperature in the clouds determines the shape of the ice crystals. In looking for an answer to your question, I checked the NSDL Earth Science Collection to find pictures of snowflakes. Go tohttp://www.nsdl.org and click on the tab for "Collections." Then "browse" the subcategory, "Earth Science," which is classified under the main heading, "Science." Here, I found "The Earth Science Picture of the Day" website http://epod.usra.edu), which featured an image entitled "Frozen Breath." Beneath the image, there were links to several good resources on snow. AllAboutSnow--This site explains the phenomenon known as "Lake Effect Snow" with a special answer to the question, "Why in Syracuse?" Find facts, answers to frequently asked questions, and pictures related to snow. There are sections on snow removal activities, safety and skiing and other snow links.http://nsidc.org/snow/index.html SnowCrystals.com--This resource provides a "Snowflake Primer," FAQ's page, and suggestions for activities, such as "Grow Your Own Snowcrystals: Snowflakes in a Bottle."http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/. Another way to search for information at NSDL http://www.nsdl.org) is to type, "why does it snow" in the search box. Please be sure to put quotation marks "" around the question. You may have to "drill" down into the sites to find the information you want, but these are good place to start. GeoTechnical Rock and Water Resources Library: http://www.grow.arizona.edu/water/precipitation/snow.shtml) Type "snow" in the search box, and check out "Snow School, a winter ecology educational program for teachers and kids with activities and information on snow and winter.http://www.snowschool.org/indexa.htm Ice and Snow - Project Dragonfly http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/index.shtml) produces this site that lets you explore ice, snow and offers a way make your own snowflakes. http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/snow/ One more method for finding information is to search Yahooligans! I typed the question, "How do snowflakes form?" "How Do Snowflakes Form?" Lansing State Journal, October 8, 1997. http://www.pa.msu.edu/~sciencet/ask_st/100897.html - Here is a concise answer to your question. It's interesting to know how all this snow on the ground where I live came to be there! If you want more information on your topic, don't forget to check with the librarian at your school or public library. The AskNSDL Staff
Category: Earth science