Revealed: Why snowflakes have such interesting shapes and design 

You’ve probably seen a snowflake at some point in your life, and you’ll agree that they are one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Although they come in various shapes, the most common is hexagonal. Some snowflakes are shaped like a bullet, and others have 12 sides, but no two snowflakes are alike!  

Snowflakes are anything but ordinary. They contain water and a wealth of fascinating information. Did you know there is a type of snow that smells like watermelon? Surprised? The algae in blood or watermelon snow give it its distinctive reddish-pink colour and smell. This is only one example of a fascinating fact. Continue reading to discover more amusing aspects about snowflakes. 

How are snowflakes formed? 
Snowflakes are more interesting than you think. But how do they come into being? Well, when a drop of water freezes in the sky to form an ice crystal, a snowflake is born! Depending on the region’s atmosphere, you may see a single or a cluster of ice crystals fall to the ground. Temperature and humidity, on the other hand, determine their shape and size. This is why simple designs appear when the temperature is mildly cold and intricate designs appear when the temperature is below freezing. And you’d be intrigued to know that snowflakes are not limited to Earth! Snowflakes can be found on Mars as well! They are, however, not as beautiful as the snowflakes we see. The ones on Mars are made of carbon dioxide and are quite small. 

Why do snowflakes have a starry design? 
Common snowflakes have six sides, which gives them their distinctive starry appearance. There is a simple scientific explanation to this. Water molecules join together in a pattern, and hexagon happens to be the best shape for the pattern to be a stable ice crystal. So, this is how the snowflake gets its starry appearance! 

Snowflakes aren’t white! 
Close your eyes and imagine a snowflake. Is it a hexagonal and white? Well, it is time to change that because snowflakes are not white! As shocking as it may appear, it is true. Snowflakes are formed from ice crystals. Light is reflected from the many sides of ice crystals, giving them a white appearance. Usually, ice crystals are clear and translucent. Snow in polluted areas is sometimes grey! So, from now on, think twice before eating snow! 

Snow and snowflakes hold most of the fresh water on Earth 
Did you know that a quintillion water molecules make up one snowflake? Scientists have found that 80% of the world’s freshwater is in the form of snow! Glaciers alone contain 69% of the world’s freshwater supply. To put thing in perspective, the size of a glacier can be anywhere from the length of a football field to more than 100 miles.  

Pollens make snowflakes 
A snowflake is made when water droplets freeze in the atmosphere, but the water needs something in the centre to freeze around. This centre or base is provided by a dust particle or pollen. Now you might wonder how come there is pollen during the winter? Well, pollens also exist in the winter and serve as a nucleus that gives rise to snowflakes. Isn’t it fascinating that the pollen that gives you allergy, can be a part of creating something so beautiful? 

Each snowflake is unique 
Snowflakes are hexagonal, but they all have different patterns. The variation in temperature and humidity that a snowflake goes through when it falls is infinite. And this is what gives rise to unique snowflake patterns! If you look closely, you will notice a plethora of unique features.  

Bonus Fact: An American meteorologist and photographer, also known as Snowflake Bentley, published a book name Snow Crystals in 1931. It contained over 2,400 images of snowflakes! More than 5,000 people agreed with the theory that no two snowflakes are alike. This prompted scientists to investigate Bentley’s work and publish it in peer-reviewed journals. Snowflakes, according to some, are like fingerprints – no two are alike!