While watching wonderful images and listening to the beautiful soundtrack, I would like to accompany you with a short text about what snow is and why snowfall moments become so magical.
First of all, what is snow?
Snow contains individual ice crystals that grow when suspended in the atmosphere (usually in clouds), then fall, and then accumulate on the ground, where they undergo further changes. It is composed of frozen crystal water throughout its life cycle, starting with ice crystals that form in the atmosphere under appropriate conditions, grow to a millimeter size, and deposit and accumulate ice crystals on the surface.
There are several forms of snowfall:
- Snowflakes are clusters of ice crystals falling from clouds.
- Snow or particles are opaque ice particles in the atmosphere. Ice crystals form when they fall through supercooled cloud droplets, which are below the freezing point but remain liquid. Then, the cloud droplets froze into crystals, forming masses. Graupel tends to be soft and fragile.
- Sleet consists of dripping light rain or drizzle, which freezes into ice when falling, and is sometimes called a mixture of rain and snow in winter.
Snow has an important impact on climate, flora and fauna, and human life. By increasing the reflection of solar radiation and interfering with heat conduction from the ground, it induces a cold climate. Low thermal conductivity can protect small plants from the lowest temperature in winter; on the other hand, the loss of late spring snow delays plant growth. When the snow melts in the spring, the resulting runoff will supply water to the river, as well as water for irrigation and other human businesses. Heavy snow can severely hinder transportation in a changeable and moderate climate, but using traditional dog sleds or snow boots or modern snowmobiles can provide a solid surface for travel in remote Arctic, Antarctic and mountainous areas.
The magic of snow. It brings a sense of peace and tranquility. It stopped the busyness of life for a moment. It feels very nostalgic and brought me back to a simpler and better time.