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Science

Life cycle of a snowflake

Not only the winter landscape as a whole is appealing - so is each individual snowflake. DW's gallery shows just how unique each of the ice crystals are.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Walking in a winter wonderland

    The crunch of fresh snow underfoot, the peaceful quietude: Most people long for a white Christmas. But the snowy landscape is beautiful not just from afar, but also very close up.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Solid water

    Snow is nothing more than water in solid form, which happens when a water droplet attaches to a particle of dust or soot and freezes in the cold upper atmosphere. The temperatures must be between minus 4 to minus 20 degrees Celsius (24.8 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit) for this to happen.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    It starts with a hexagon

    A snowflake starts on a flat, hexagonal base that is a mere 0.1 millimeter in diameter. The shape emerges due to the intermolecular force of hydrogen bonding in H2O.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    From crystal to flake

    As ever more water freezes onto the hexagonal crystals, the snowflakes begin to grow extensions called dendrites. This gives snowflakes their typical star-like shape - in infinite possibilities, depending on temperature, wind conditions and humidity in the clouds where they form.

  • Bildergalerie Weihnachtsland Erzgebirge

    Different kinds of snow

    It takes about an hour for a snowflake to make its way from a cloud to the surface of the Earth. Temperatures of greater than minus 5 degrees Celsius and more humidity cause larger flakes. At lower temperatures and in drier conditions - like at the poles - needle ice and plate crystals make up the snow.

  • Schneemann

    Snowmen vs. skiing

    The moister, larger flakes are good for things like building snowmen. Smaller, colder snowflakes bring drier powder snow.

  • Gletscher Jostedalsbreen

    Last year's snow

    Glaciers form as snow builds up and compacts over time. Snow that's melted and refrozen becomes a kind of granular ice called "firn." The word, in fact, comes from German and means "of last year." Blue- or green-tinted, shimmering glaciers have become important indicators of climate change.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Seemingly white

    The white "color" of snow is in fact an optical illusion: snow is made up of water, which is colorless. But snow crystals act like mirrors, reflect all different light frequencies simultaneously, which results in the appearance of a white hue to our eyes.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Unique snowflakes

    Regardless of their origin, snowflakes will continue to inspire us with their beauty and individuality - and ultimately, their transience, as they melt back into water.


  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Walking in a winter wonderland

    The crunch of fresh snow underfoot, the peaceful quietude: Most people long for a white Christmas. But the snowy landscape is beautiful not just from afar, but also very close up.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Solid water

    Snow is nothing more than water in solid form, which happens when a water droplet attaches to a particle of dust or soot and freezes in the cold upper atmosphere. The temperatures must be between minus 4 to minus 20 degrees Celsius (24.8 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit) for this to happen.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    It starts with a hexagon

    A snowflake starts on a flat, hexagonal base that is a mere 0.1 millimeter in diameter. The shape emerges due to the intermolecular force of hydrogen bonding in H2O.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    From crystal to flake

    As ever more water freezes onto the hexagonal crystals, the snowflakes begin to grow extensions called dendrites. This gives snowflakes their typical star-like shape - in infinite possibilities, depending on temperature, wind conditions and humidity in the clouds where they form.

  • Bildergalerie Weihnachtsland Erzgebirge

    Different kinds of snow

    It takes about an hour for a snowflake to make its way from a cloud to the surface of the Earth. Temperatures of greater than minus 5 degrees Celsius and more humidity cause larger flakes. At lower temperatures and in drier conditions - like at the poles - needle ice and plate crystals make up the snow.

  • Schneemann

    Snowmen vs. skiing

    The moister, larger flakes are good for things like building snowmen. Smaller, colder snowflakes bring drier powder snow.

  • Gletscher Jostedalsbreen

    Last year's snow

    Glaciers form as snow builds up and compacts over time. Snow that's melted and refrozen becomes a kind of granular ice called "firn." The word, in fact, comes from German and means "of last year." Blue- or green-tinted, shimmering glaciers have become important indicators of climate change.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Seemingly white

    The white "color" of snow is in fact an optical illusion: snow is made up of water, which is colorless. But snow crystals act like mirrors, reflect all different light frequencies simultaneously, which results in the appearance of a white hue to our eyes.

  • Bildergalerie Schneeflocken

    Unique snowflakes

    Regardless of their origin, snowflakes will continue to inspire us with their beauty and individuality - and ultimately, their transience, as they melt back into water.


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