Winter wonder.... snowflake secrets

[Lemon Cheesecake]

I know I often hear people grumble about WINTER but there are some cool things about winter... snowflakes for instance...

check this out: HOW SNOWFLAKES FORM:
source : http://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-shows ... akes-form/

watch the short clip on how snowflakes form

article:

[+] SPOILER

As you gaze out the window at the falling snow, or watch it on TV, marvel at the fact that every one of the trillions of snowflakes that makes up a blizzard is unique.

Scientists have learned a lot about how snowflakes crystallize. Each flake starts as an individual speck of dust in the atmosphere, then moisture clings to the dust, the droplet freezes and crystallization begins. As the American Chemical Society explains in the video below, there's a precise science behind why snowflakes develop their distinctive six-pronged shape.

A cavity forms in each side because ice grows fastest along the edges, and from there six branches sprout. The branch tips grow and then narrow as temperatures hit the -13 Celsius mark. Another degree colder, and side branches sprout. Subsequent blasts of warmer and cooler air leave their imprint on the branches as the snowflake falls toward Earth. Scientists now classify snowflakes into 121 categories, based on the arrangement of atoms that result in different shapes.

the video clip below the article on "how to capture a snowflake" with a PWI camera is interesting too.

If you are intrigued by snowflakes, check it out.

When I was small I loved to make snow angels (lay in the snow and flail your arms), make snow forts where we'd bring in a lantern and hang out sitting on our snow benches (with a piece of cardboard under our seat), tobogganing, cross country skiing (not a downhill fan, I'm too clumsy), snowshoeing (got to do that in Northern Canada), building snowmen... photographing the winter wonders...and I have always loved making paper snowflakes...

How about you? What do you like about WINTER / SNOW

[Lemon Cheesecake]

The thing I like about California winters is that you can have summer in the middle of winter! Like today was in the mid 80's F

[ShiroGEM]

I like that you don't have to use airconditioners. C: Saves a lot of energy.

But now we gotta use heaters because it's getting wayyy too cold in Hong Kong. :c

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Shiro: ceramic heaters are good to pull out and heat up a room.

Does Hong Kong celebrate Chinese New Year for two weeks? Do things close down for the festivities? Did you go see a dragon dance/parade?

How is it your English is so good? Do you use a translator?

[Kitalpha Hart]

Lake effect snow being created is wild
There's recordings of it too

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Kit: I never heard of it, that sounds so intriguing! Have you actually seen it then? I am going to check it out!

[Kitalpha Hart]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9XNRHxKbg
That's a time lapse, too

[Lemon Cheesecake]

I had no idea... who would have thought? Pretty amazing.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

reviving this thread since it is getting wintery out...I even get to pull the sweaters out to wear!

[Kitalpha Hart]

Winter>summer for me

[Watery Star]

I like playing in snow and looking out at a winter wonderland but that's about it. I don't like the cold, it goes right through me. I don't like ice, especially black ice that forms on roads, sidewalks and walkways.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

true, I don't like the ice on the roads and we do get that if temps drop to freezing (of course no one knows how to drive in rain here let alone icy conditions and here no one switches to winter tires like other areas.)

And I like the crispness of the cold but I don't like to be out in it for extended periods of time, but you can always warm up. When you are too hot, and the air is hot like in heat waves, it is more difficult to cool down.

[galled]

The best part of winter here is you can wear jackets and long sleeves.

[Polaris]

Winter - hot chocolate and blanket burritos!

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Watery's star in her signature reminds me of making paper snowflakes! I think I may just make me some and hang them up for decorations.