Hobbies And Interests
Star Snowflakes
One of the most common types of snowflakes, star or stellar snowflakes, resemble a six-pointed star in shape. They form when temperatures reach -15 degrees Celsius. The snowflakes often remain rather small in size due to their fragility. Wind or collision with other airborne particles can easily break star snowflakes. Superstar snowflakes have been known to form under the right conditions. Several single star snowflakes will join together to form one larger superstar snowflake.
Dendrite Snowflakes
The website Teacher Vision calls dendrites "stars with attitude." Large branches with side branches grow out of these star-shaped snowflakes when it gets extremely cold outside, between -20 and -25 degrees Celsius. You often see these types of snowflakes replicated on winter decorations. When multiple side branches fan out from the branches of dendrite, it's known as a fern-like dendrite. Fern-like dendrite snowflakes often reach a diameter of 5 mm.
Plate Snowflakes
When the temperature drops between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius and there isn't enough moisture in the air to form a star snowflake, plate snowflakes form. Six broad arms make up the shape of these stellar plate snowflakes, while the intricate and symmetrical decorations form on their faces. When the pointed ridges of stellar plates become prominent, the snowflakes fall into the category of sectored plates.
Column Snowflakes
Column snowflakes will form anywhere between 15 and -25 degrees Celsius when the air is dry and they come in two types. Hollow columns take the form of a hexagonal tube with each end hollowed out. The naked eye, however, cannot detect this hollow portion without the aid of a magnifier. When column snowflakes form in the upper, drier region of a cloud then pass through a lower cloud with more moisture, a plate will form on both ends of the column, creating a capped column snowflake.
Needle Snowflakes
Needle snowflakes form in temperatures between -5 and -10 degrees Celsius, changing from plates into very slender needle-like shapes with just a small change in temperature. These snowflakes produce heavy packing snow, perfect for snowmen and snowball fights. However, snow made up of needle snowflakes can also lead to avalanches.