It’s True! No Two Snowflakes Are Alike.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WGBW) – Breaking down the basic snow types and temperatures needed, shows you how accumulations are calculated by forecasters.

There are 35 different types of snowflakes, which can be further divided into 121 subtypes. While snowflakes can look similar, certain snowflakes only occur under specific temperatures and humidities. Since we don’t have time to get into all of them, they are broken down into four main types: plates, columns, needles, and dendrites.

Here’s how it works. When temperatures are in the upper 20s to low 30s the snowflakes you are seeing are called thin plates. Which look like they’re called. With thin, plate-like crystals with six broad arms that form a star-like shape. Their faces are often decorated with amazingly elaborate and symmetrical markings.

If temperatures drop a bit cooler, let’s say in the low to mid 20s as it’s snowing, these crystals are called thin needles. Again, they look just like they’re named with long, slender crystals. It takes a little longer for these to pile up to some significant accumulations.They are small and easy to miss, and they look like small bits of white hair on your sleeve.

When the temperatures get even colder, into the upper teens, hollow columns are spinning through the sky. It’s that fluffy snow that’s perfect for snow angels.

The flakes quite turn pretty when temperatures drop even further and hover in the low teens. These are called the stellar plates. They pile up quickly and look more and more like the shape of a star.

The sweet spot is when temperatures are in the single digits. The most detailed dendrites will dazzle you. If you catch some of these on your hair or dark coat, snap a picture and zoom in on that detail! You’ll see a six-sided structure with elaborate and nearly symmetrical branches.

So with all the different types of snowflakes, forecasting accumulations in a specific storm, forecasters need to consider the snow ratio. For example, lets take 1” of water, depending on the temperatures and humidity, how much will that pile up to? Well, with the wet snow and temperatures in the low 30s, you’ll get 5”. But if temperatures are in the teens and the fluffier lighter type is falling, then accumulations rise to nearly 20”! Remember we just used 1 inch of water.

If it’s windy, snowflakes can fracture, losing their “lacy” structure and leading to lower accumulations. So the deep cold in general promotes higher snow totals.

Now you know it’s true, no two snowflakes are alike. So, stand out in life’s weather, will ya?