When we think of snow, many of us picture soft flakes drifting peacefully from the sky, coating the world in a blanket of white. But behind that serene scene lies an incredible blend of science, history, and natural wonders. Snow is far more complex—and far more interesting—than it first appears.
How Snowflakes Form: A Complex Journey Through the Clouds
Snow begins high in the atmosphere, forming within clouds that are part of larger weather systems. The physics behind snow crystal formation is surprisingly intricate. Everything—from the temperature and humidity to the amount of moisture in the air—affects how each tiny crystal grows.
A single snowflake is a marvel of natural engineering. Each one contains roughly 10 quintillion water molecules, all attaching themselves to a tiny core as the flake falls. Because the atmosphere constantly changes—sometimes by the second—each snowflake grows in a slightly different pattern. They may appear the same to the naked eye, but on a molecular level, no two snowflakes are truly identical.
And some snowflakes push the limits of imagination. According to Guinness World Records, the largest natural snowflake ever measured an astounding 15 inches across. It fell on January 28, 1887, in Fort Keogh, Montana—bigger than a dinner plate!
Why Snow Looks White (and Sometimes Doesn’t)
Even though it covers landscapes in brilliant white, snow itself isn’t actually white at all. Snowflakes are made of translucent ice crystals that scatter all wavelengths of visible light. This scattering bounces the full spectrum back to our eyes, combining into the color white.
But snow doesn’t always look white…
The Day Orange Snow Fell in Siberia
In early 2007, people in parts of Siberia looked out their windows to find the world blanketed in orange snow. Theories ranged from pollution to nuclear fallout. The truth was less alarming: the snow contained high levels of iron and was likely tinted by dust carried from a Kazakh sandstorm.
Watermelon Snow: Summer’s Pink Surprise
In alpine and polar regions, you might stumble across watermelon snow—patches of pink or red snow caused by a bloom of cold-loving freshwater algae. This colorful phenomenon is often spotted in places like California’s Sierra Nevada.
Snow on Earth—and Beyond
Here on Earth, snowfall is abundant. Scientists estimate one septillion snowflakes fall every year. That’s a 1 followed by 24 zeros!
But our planet isn’t the only one with wintry weather. Mars and several gas giants—such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune—experience snowfall too. Their “snow” isn’t made of water, though. Instead, it can consist of carbon dioxide ice, methane, or even ammonia crystals. Some moons also have their own versions of snowfall, proving that winter weather is a truly universal phenomenon.
Snow as a Natural Insulator
Snow’s fluffy texture hides a surprising secret: it’s made of 90 to 95 percent trapped air. This makes snow an excellent insulator.
Animals like rodents and reptiles take advantage of this by burrowing beneath the snow to hibernate or shelter from the cold. Indigenous Arctic peoples also mastered this science—igloos can be up to 100 degrees warmer inside than the freezing air outside, warmed only by body heat.
Record-Breaking Snowfalls
Winter storms have produced some truly jaw-dropping records:
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Most snowfall in one season:
95 feet at Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington (1998–1999). -
Largest 24-hour snowfall in the U.S.:
75.8 inches in Silver Lake, Colorado (April 14–15, 1921). -
Snowiest major U.S. city:
Syracuse, New York averages 115.6 inches each year and frequently takes home the Golden Snowball Award for Upstate weather supremacy. Its snowiest winter on record dumped 192.1 inches between 1992 and 1993.
Where It Never Snows: The Florida Keys
Despite the occasional cold snap, one place has never recorded snow: the Florida Keys, including Key West. The National Weather Service reports no known snow, sleet, or frost in over 300 years of documented history. In fact, Key West’s all-time record low is a relatively mild 41°F, recorded in 1886 and again in 1981.
From delicate crystal structures to orange blizzards and Martian snowfall, snow is one of nature’s most captivating phenomena. Whether you’re watching flakes drift past your window or reading about far-off icy worlds, there’s always something new to discover about this wintry wonder.