single ice crystal ice crystals falls earth atmosphere begin snow crystals develop microscopic cloud freeze come variety sizes shapes complex shapes emerge moves differing temperature humidity regions individual unique structure form balls known appear white color despite clear ice reflection spectrum light small crystal formation warmer clouds particle ice nucleus present contact act nucleus particles ice rare compared liquid cloud form understood makes efficient desert dust biological particles effective extent unclear artificial include particles silver dry ice stimulate precipitation cloud frozen grows environment air saturated respect ice temperature freezing point grows deposition water molecules air ice crystal surface collected water numerous ice crystals sheer abundance crystals able grow hundreds millimeters size expense water process known process corresponding water causes meaning ice crystals grow expense large crystals efficient source precipitation fall atmosphere mass stick clusters usually type ice particle falls ground list world largest aggregate january fort montana allegedly measured inches wide report farmer doubtful inches width observed single crystals size diameter observed exact details sticking mechanism remain controversial possibilities include mechanical attraction existence sticky liquid like layer crystal surface individual ice crystals symmetry ice clear scattering light crystal mean crystals appear white color reflection spectrum light small ice particles shape determined broadly temperature humidity formed rarely temperature form symmetry triangular common snow particles visibly irregular near perfect common pictures visually appealing unlikely alike estimated water molecules typical grow different rates different patterns depending changing temperature humidity atmosphere falls way ground symmetry non exhibits fold radial symmetry initial symmetry occur structure ice fold arms grow independently arm grows independently completely micro environment grows changes falls cloud tiny changes temperature humidity affect way water molecules attach micro environment changes nearly identical arm grow nearly way micro environment guarantee arm grow crystal forms underlying crystal growth mechanism affects fast surface region crystal grows studies suggest exhibit ideal fold shape form wide variety intricate shapes leading popular expression alike possible unlikely initial attempts find identical thousands microscope onward found wide variety know today documenting found identical hollow column type sides number use symbol traditional seasonal image motif christmas period especially europe united_states canada represents traditional white christmas period popular paper folding piece paper times cutting pattern symbols representing winter cold conditions example snow tires enhance traction harsh winter driving conditions labelled mountain symbol stylized emblem winter olympics winter olympics winter olympics winter olympics winter olympics stylized charge represent winter winter sports different symbols tight heavy gallery selection photographs taken
Snowflake