# @science on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DG_aZFtoKtH
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61247863-science-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/a2004147cf.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-03-09T19:48:52.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Science 🧬 (@science) — https://gondola.cc/science

## Caption

❄️ For snow to form, it needs low temperatures and moisture in the atmosphere. For example, in some deserts, temperatures can drop below zero, but there isn’t enough moisture for snow to form! The same goes with Antarctica’s Dry Valleys; it’s hella cold, but there’s barely any snow because of the low humidity.⁠
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Snowflakes form when water vapor freezes around microscopic suspended particles like dust and pollen and then absorb and freeze additional water vapor nearby. When temperatures are below 0°C, snowflakes tend to be tiny, but when temperatures are near 0°C, snowflakes are larger. However, if the ground temperature is above 5°C, snow generally won’t form.⁠
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There are two types of snow: wet and dry. Wet snow forms when temperatures are above 0°C. These snowflakes will melt around the edges and stick together, which makes them bigger and heavier than dry snow. When the air is dry and cool, snowflakes won’t melt and will stick together. These snowflakes are generally small and powdery.⁠
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During winter, snow can accumulate on the ground quite a lot but acts as a thermal insulator, keeping ground temperature warmer than the air temperature. It’s also a valuable reserve of freshwater!⁠
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🔬 courtesy of: @tardibabe⁠
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#snow #snowflakes #underthemicroscope #microscopic #microscope #science

## Stats

- **Views:** 46,291
- **Likes:** 3,515
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- **Comments:** 22

## Tags

snow, science, microscope, snowflakes, microscopic, underthemicroscope

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