Lochaber Blog & Mountain Info

A light dusting of fresh snow fell in very light winds today. The snowflake did not get broken up or blown away before being observed. This meant that (if you are a snow geek like me) it was a good day for snowflake spotting. Today most were needles (see picture of the snow on my rucsac strap). The shape of a snow flake depends on the temperature and the humidity at which it forms. Irregular needles like these form at temperature of between about -4°C and -6°C. In comparison dendrites (classic Christmas card snow flakes) form at about -15°C.
Blair