How much do you know about snow?
Did you know that…
- Some snowflakes can measure almost 2 inches across.
- The world’s largest snowman was built in Bethel, Maine in 2008. It was 122 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 13,000,000 pounds. The eyes were 5-foot wreaths.
- Snow can fall with ground temperatures up to about 40 degrees.
- Clean snow is safe to eat, generally speaking.
- Snow originates in clouds when temperatures are below the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit), when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses directly into ice without going through the liquid stage.
- The largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.
- All snowflakes have 6 sides.
- Yes, it can get cold enough that it won’t snow. Since snow is frozen water, if there aren’t enough water droplets in the air, it can’t snow.
- Snowflakes falling at 2-4 mph can take about 1 hour to reach the ground. The average snowflake falls at 3.1 miles per hour.
- The most snow to fall within 24 hours in the U.S. occurred in Silver Lake, Colorado in 1921: 76 inches of snow.
- Snow at the North Pole and the South Pole reflect heat into space because the ice acts like a mirror with the heat of the sun, and the heat bounces off the ice and into space.
- Icicles are more common on the south side of buildings. Since the south side tends to receive more daytime sun, snow is more likely to melt on that side. It then re-freezes during the night to form icicles.
Since snow is so fun (at least for some of us), it makes a great reason to get out with the kids and enjoy the wintery white stuff!
Building snow forts, making snow sculptures, and creating snow paintings are just a few ways to have some snow fun this winter.
More Fun Things To Do With Kids In The Snow
- Make Homemade Snow Globes
- Build A Really Unique Snowman
- Colored “Glass” – A Fun Snow Tutorial For Kids
- Build A Milk Jug Igloo
- 20+ Fun Activities You Can Do In The Snow
- How To Capture And Save Snowflakes
I'm a weather geek from Florida who's been studying meteorology and watching weather patterns for years! I enjoy sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about the weather. I especially like sharing interesting details about weather events and conditions that can affect you… and how to prepare for Mother Nature's ever-changing weather patterns.
