Snow might look like magic, but there’s cool science behind those fluffy white flakes that fall from the sky in winter. Let’s learn how snow is made and what makes snowflakes so special!
Snow starts its journey in the clouds, just like rain. Clouds are made of tiny water droplets that have turned into gas, floated up into the sky, and then turned back into water. These tiny droplets hang out in the air until they come together to make bigger droplets. When these droplets get too heavy, they fall to the ground as precipitation.
Precipitation can be different depending on how warm or cold it is:
Snowflakes have a special open structure that lets them hold a lot of air, making snow soft and fluffy instead of hard and icy. People often say “no two snowflakes are alike,” and snowflakes can indeed form in many different shapes and patterns.
If you want to see how amazing snowflakes are, go outside during a snowfall and catch some on a dark surface, like a glove or black paper. This way, you can see their unique designs up close!
Learning about the science of snow helps us understand this winter wonder. From how it forms in clouds to the different types of precipitation, snow is a fascinating part of our weather. Next time it snows, take a moment to admire the beauty of snowflakes and think about the science that makes it all happen!
Snowflake Catching and Drawing: Next time it snows, grab a piece of black paper and head outside. Catch some snowflakes on the paper and use a magnifying glass to observe their unique shapes. Then, draw the snowflakes you see on a piece of paper. Try to create your own snowflake designs by imagining what different shapes they could take!
Weather Journal: Start a weather journal to track the different types of precipitation you see over a week. Each day, write down whether you see rain, sleet, snow, or freezing rain. Draw a picture of what you observe and note how the temperature feels. At the end of the week, discuss with a friend or family member how the weather changed and what type of precipitation was most common.
Snowflake Crafting: Use paper and scissors to create your own paper snowflakes. Fold a piece of paper into a triangle and cut out shapes along the edges. When you unfold the paper, you’ll have a snowflake! Try making different designs and see how many unique snowflakes you can create. Remember, just like real snowflakes, each one can be different!
