Archives for: "January 2017"

Columns!

January 18th, 2017
The poor columns get left out of nearly all snow-crystal discussions, but they are an interesting type. So, to help them out a bit, here's my first column appreciation post.  Let's start with perhaps the most extreme column of all, the Shimizu prism*:… more »

How clouds form snow

January 14th, 2017
To understand snow formation, one must know a little about clouds.  Q: What is in a cloud? A: Air, dust, vapor, droplets, and often, ice.  Q: How much air? How much liquid water? How much ice? A: The answers will probably surprise you. See my short… more »

More frost patterns on black cars

January 7th, 2017
Black cars remain my favorite place to observe frost patterns. Here are a few I saw on one car today.   [image:46] The straight lines of frost are more common when it is drier. And it has been quite dry here due to the very low temperatures.  [image:50]… more »