Buzz
Spring is approaching, yet many areas across the U.S. still face the possibility of snowfall. Understanding what distinguishes one snowstorm from another is key.
Snow varies greatly from one storm to the next. From childhood, we learn that each snowflake is unique, and similarly, every snowstorm has its own identity. The nature of the snow produced can range from feathery and light to dense and burdensome, making it a challenge to clear. A critical element that influences the severity of a winter storm is the snow-to-liquid ratio, which measures the water content within the snow.
THE EXPANSIVE NATURE OF SNOW AND OTHER WEATHER TRIVIA
Contrary to common misconceptions, snow isn’t merely frozen raindrops. Snowflakes and raindrops form through distinct, though related, processes. Every snowflake originates from a nucleus—a tiny particle like dust floating in the atmosphere. This nucleus acts as a foundation, enabling supercooled water vapor to freeze upon contact and grow into an ice crystal. The shape and size of snowflakes vary based on atmospheric moisture and temperature, with dendrites, the classic tree-like snowflakes, being the most prevalent.
The unique structure of snowflakes explains why even a small snowfall can create more disruption than a full day of heavy rain. Snowflakes accumulate rapidly into thick layers due to their spacious nature. When snow lands on freezing ground, the significant gaps between ice crystals allow them to stack like scaffolding. Additionally, snowflakes are far drier than liquid raindrops. For instance, two feet of snow contains only a fraction of the water found in two feet of rain.
This is where the snow-to-liquid ratio becomes relevant. You might have encountered this concept without realizing it—for example, when someone mentions that 10 inches of snow equals one inch of rain. This ratio represents the liquid equivalent of melted snow. Higher ratios indicate lower water content in the snow. While a 10:1 ratio is typical for snow near freezing temperatures, the ratio can range from 30:1 in extremely cold conditions to 6:1 when temperatures are above freezing. It can even fluctuate during a single storm as temperatures change.
MINNEAPOLIS EXPERIENCES DRY, FLUFFY SNOW, WHILE D.C. DEALS WITH HEAVY SLUSH
Julie Falk, Flickr // CC BY-NC 2.0
Winter storms are less humid compared to summer storms because cold air retains less water vapor than warm air. Despite having limited moisture, snowstorms utilize their resources effectively. This efficiency explains why the American Plains can receive snowfall comparable to the East Coast, even though inland storms have less moisture than coastal ones.
For example, if both Minneapolis and Washington D.C. experience a foot of snow, Minneapolis will likely have lighter, fluffier snow due to its colder climate and higher snow-to-liquid ratio. In contrast, Washington D.C.’s snow will be heavier and slushier because of higher moisture levels from the Atlantic and temperatures near freezing. Melting a bucket of D.C.’s snow would yield more water than melting the same amount of snow from Minneapolis.
Extremely cold storms produce small, dry snowflakes that are easy to brush off but can lead to snow drifts and reduced visibility. In contrast, storms near freezing temperatures create snow with higher water content, causing flakes to compress and stick together. This sticky snow is ideal for snowballs and snowmen but also explains why northern regions and mountainous areas handle snow better—their fluffy snow is easier to manage than the wet, icy snow common elsewhere.
