The Magic of Snow: Why is Every Snowflake Unique? Knowing What Happens Inside the Clouds Makes Snowy Days a Bit More Enjoyable

A Timeline That Lights Up with Every Snow Warning

When an "Amber Snow Warning (Moderate Alert)" is issued in the UK, a flood of snow scenery photos begins to appear on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The BBC and various media outlets also call for "Send us your snow photos from your area," showcasing user-submitted photos of snowmen and frozen roads.AOL

On the timeline, some parents post about their children joyfully playing in the snow, while adults complain, "The trains have stopped, and I can't leave the house," or "Thank goodness for remote work." Snow quickly visualizes the "difference in excitement" among people living in the same city.

Despite the fascination with snow, surprisingly few people can accurately explain "how snow is formed" or "why no two snowflakes are said to be alike." Here, based on an explanation by an expert in atmospheric and planetary sciences published in The Independent, we will organize the journey of snowflakes from their birth to the "snow content" that enlivens social media.The Independent

Where Snow is Born: It All Begins with Clouds

The story of snow begins with air rising from the ground.

1. The sun warms the ground

2. The air near the ground is also warmed

3. The warmed air rises

4. As it rises, it cools, and water vapor turns into tiny droplets or ice particles, forming clouds

This "warmed and rising → cooled and condensed" process is the same even on cold winter days. The weak winter sunlight that touches your cheeks also acts as an engine for cloud formation.The Independent

When the temperature near the ground is sufficiently low, the water in the clouds primarily exists as ice particles, which become the nuclei of snowflakes.

Why Are Snowflakes Hexagonal?

When the temperature drops below 0°C, water molecules not only freeze but also tend to arrange themselves in a "hexagonal (hexagonal crystal)" pattern.The Independent

• Water molecules are a set of "1 oxygen + 2 hydrogen"

• When these molecules bond, the most stable configuration is a hexagonal ring

• The hexagons stack to form the "framework" of snowflakes

That's why many snowflakes have a shape that extends branches in six directions. The "hexagonal snow mark" on Christmas decorations is not just a design; it roughly replicates the crystal structure of ice.

How True is "No Two Snowflakes Are Alike"?

Many people were taught as children that "each snowflake is different." This notion is not just romantic; it also has scientific reasons.

Snowflakes are constantly influenced by the ever-changing temperature and humidity as they grow while falling through the clouds.The Independent

• When humidity is high, branches (arms) tend to grow from the corners of the hexagon, resulting in complex and ornate shapes

• When humidity is low, the shape is simpler and more compact

• If the temperature zone changes midway, the crystal can become a combination of different types of shapes

Even within the same cloud, the route each crystal takes varies due to updrafts and wind flows. As a result, the "growth history" is different for each, leading to almost infinite variations in crystal shapes.buffalo.edu

Researchers have found that when growing snowflakes under completely identical conditions in artificial setups, nearly identical twin crystals can form.PBS
However, in the real sky, conditions are constantly fluctuating, making it "almost impossible to find two completely identical snowflakes in nature."

The "Invisible Switch" That Distinguishes Powder Snow from Wet Snow

Anyone from a snowy region knows the difference—

• The light, powdery "powder snow" that dances at ski resorts

• The heavy "wet snow" that turns roads into a slushy mess

This difference is ultimately determined by the temperature and humidity in the clouds and near the ground.

1. "Dry Snow" Created by Dry Cold

When the temperature is well below freezing and the air is relatively dry, the crystals only "hook and stick" to each other. The branches mechanically intertwine, forming fluffy clumps.The Independent

• Contains plenty of air

• Light and powdery

• Ideal for skiing and snowboarding

• But hard to make snowballs

This is the secret behind the "dry powder" often mentioned in ski magazines.

2. "Wet Snow" Created by Slightly Melted Crystals

On the other hand, if the crystals pass through a zone slightly above 0°C while falling from the clouds or near the ground, the corners of the crystals melt slightly. This thin liquid film acts like glue, making the crystals stick together strongly.The Independent

• Heavy and slushy

• Perfect for making snowmen and snowball fights

• Challenging for snow removal and troublesome for transportation infrastructure

Just a few degrees of difference can affect everything from the condition of the slopes to the level of chaos during the morning commute.

Ice is Present in Clouds All Year Round

We tend to think of snow as a winter phenomenon, but in reality, most clouds contain ice crystals throughout the year. Even in warm tropical clouds, the temperature high above is much lower, creating a sub-zero world.The Independent

Furthermore, observations have shown that "clouds containing ice crystals tend to produce more rain." This is because ice crystals grow within the clouds and then melt to form raindrops.The Independent

In other words, even behind a summer downpour, there is a hidden story of tiny snow (ice) crystals.

The Three Faces of "Snow Days" as Reflected on Social Media

So, how is this science of snow perceived on social media? By looking at recent posts, we can see roughly three patterns.

1. The Festive #snowday

When snow warnings are issued in the UK or Japan, the timeline is first filled with photos of snowmen made by children, videos of excited pets, and pristine white photos of school routes. Media outlets like the BBC also solicit photos from viewers, showcasing "the snowy scenery of your town."AOL

People post their joy with comments like "The first snow of the year!" and "Work is canceled, yay!" while also sharing realistic concerns like "My back hurts from shoveling snow..." and "The sidewalks are icy and dangerous."

Snow is a powerful event that can transform the same occurrence into both a "holiday" and a "disaster."

2. The Science Cluster's "Snow Lecture"

Science enthusiasts and meteorologists post crystal photos and explanatory threads every time snow becomes a topic of discussion.

• Photographers capturing macro photos of snowflakes go viral

• Posts explaining "Why are they hexagonal?" and "How does humidity affect their shape?" are shared

• Universities and research institutions share articles explaining the chemistry and physics of snowflakesAccuWeather

Many people express surprise, saying, "I thought snow photos were just pretty landscapes, but each one contains information at the level of an experimental setup," making it a place where science and art are shared simultaneously.

3. The Simple Question: "Are They Really All Different?"

Every year, the debate "Are no two snowflakes really the same?" is repeated.

• "Well, theoretically, identical ones could exist, right?"

• "Apparently, twin snowflakes are being created in laboratories"PBS

• "Still, the probability of encountering them in nature is astronomically low"

Such discussions unfold in threads on X.

This exchange serves as a learning opportunity for understanding the sense of probability, where "science rarely says 'absolutely impossible'" but "can say it's almost impossible in reality."

Snow, Climate Change, and Infrastructure

In recent years, social media has seen an increase in posts that use snow as a starting point to consider climate change and urban infrastructure, beyond just "