Snow

Snow, precipitation consisting of flakes or clumps of ice crystals. The crystals are plane hexagonal, showing an infinite variety of beautiful, branched forms; needles, columns, and irregular forms are also found. Snow forms by direct vapor-to-ice condensation from humid air below 32°F (0°C). On reaching the ground, snow crystals lose their structure and become granular. Fresh snow is very light (specific gravity about 0.1) and is a good insulator, protecting underlying plants from severe cold. In time, pressure, sublimation, melting, and refreezing lead to compaction into névé.