Introduction

It is important to understand the condition of the snow before doing any snow sports because it can determine whether you will have a safe and fun time skiing or snowboarding.

Types of Snow Habits and its Formation

Snow crystals form when water freezes in the air. However, this simple action can cause a variety patterns and shapes called habits. Below are images of the different snow habits that commonly form:

Retrieved from: https://www.starnetlibraries.org/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow/Links to an external site.

These snow habits form under certain conditions. Since snow forms from water, the more humid the atmosphere, the larger the snow crystals form in a branched formation. Furthermore, as it become colder and colder, the snow habits can begin to change shape. Just below freezing (0^oC), the snow is often found to be flat and plate-like. Below -5^oC, the snow habit begins to become more needle-like. Between -10^oC and -20^oC, they start reverting back to plates again. Below is an diagram clarifying the growth of snow at different temperatures and humidity:

Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-snow-crystal-morphology-diagram-showing-different-types-of-snow-crystals-that-grow_fig2_30759481Links to an external site.

Snow Density

The density of the snow is determined by the amount of water and ice per kg/m³. If the more water and ice in the snow, the higher the density. Below shows the characteristic of the snow at different densities:

Retrieved from: https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/courses/atsc113/snow/met_concepts/07-met_concepts/07b-newly-fallen-snow-density/Links to an external site.

Density of the snow is affected by both temperature and wind. Warmer temperatures (close to, but not quite freezing levels) cause newly-fallen snow to have a higher density since it will have higher water concentration. The opposite is true as well. Colder temperatures (below freezing) causes newly-fallen snow to have a lower density. On the other hand, light winds cause higher density snows and strong winds cause lower density snow.

References:

https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-formation-of-snow-crystalsLinks to an external site.