Snow is a form of ice that consists of individual ice crystals. These crystals grow in the atmosphere, within the clouds, before falling to the ground. Once on the ground, they go through further changes. This is what makes snow so beautiful and fascinating. Moreover, snow can make you feel cool and comfortable.
Snow forms when the temperature is below zero and water vapour condenses into ice. This ice then forms around dirt particles carried by the wind. When enough ice crystals form together, they become heavy and fall to the ground. They are then melted by warmer air, forming sleet. Moreover, snowflakes take on a variety of shapes, depending on their size, humidity, and wind speed.
Snow clouds form in the context of larger weather systems. In general, these systems include a low-pressure area and warm and cold fronts. Elevation is also a factor, especially in mountainous regions. Thus, snow clouds are typically associated with a certain elevation. A snow cloud may have as many as 200 crystals.
The probability of snowfall varies with latitude, elevation, and season. In colder regions, snow may remain on the ground all winter. In temperate regions, snow tends to reach a maximum water content of 50 percent by the end of spring. In areas with prolonged dry summers, spring snow melt provides a reliable source of water.