How Do Snowflakes Get Their Shape?

Snowflakes come in a seemingly endless variety of shapes and sizes. Two factors play key roles in determining the shape of a snowflake: temperature and humidity.

Kenneth Libbrecht, Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, made some extensive observations regarding snowflakes’ shapes in different atmospheric conditions. He observed that snowflakes formed below -22 degrees Celsius (-7.6 degrees Fahrenheit) have comparatively simpler shapes than those formed in warmer temperatures.

The other crucial factor is humidity. It has been seen that the most intricate patterns in snowflakes are formed when there is ample humidity in the air. On the contrary, however, drier air results in snowflakes with simpler designs.