Do you know how snowflakes form? ❄️

When water vapor in clouds cool, individual water molecules will stick to dust or other particles which become the ice nuclei. More water molecules are then attracted to them..

Due to bonds made between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of each water molecule, they assemble in a hexagon shape, that grows outwards as more water molecules attach. 

You'll find such six-pointed flat shapes in most snowflake representations, but due to subtle variations in humidity and temperature and collisions with other snowflakes on the downward journey, these perfect shapes are actually rare. Swipe to see the messy shapes most snowflakes end up as.

While snowflakes in nature are usually unique, scientists have shown they can 'design' snowflakes in controlled lab conditions to effectively form identical intricate patterns. 

Either way, we think all snowflakes are beautiful! 

Did you know? 🎓