Snow

Treescovered with snow

Occurrence of snowfall:

Snow below 500 metersabove sea levelevery year.

Snow below 500m over sea level, but not in all of its territory (esp. in some coastal and/or desert areas).

Snow above 500 meters above sea level every year, however it can snow below this level every few years.

Snow only above 500 meters above sea level.

Snow only above 2,000 meters above sea level.

Without snow.

Snowis a form ofice.Snow forms whenwaterin theatmospherebecomesfrozen.It comprises individualicecrystals that grow while suspended in theatmosphere—usually withinclouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. Snow comes in all different shapes and sizes.

At thefreezing pointof water (0°Celsius,32°Fahrenheit), snow melts and becomes liquidwater.Sometimes, the snow will melt very fast and becomewater vapor.This is calledsublimation.The opposite, where water vapor becomes snow, is calleddeposition.

Snow is used for some wintersportactivities likeskiingand sledding. Sometimes people make artificial snow so they can ski. People also commonly build things out of snow for fun.

Snow can also be dangerous, as it can lowervisibilityand make driving very difficult. When it snows, the snow will melt a little during the daytime and freeze again at night. This makesicewhich can make driving conditions very treacherous. Snow plows are used to remove snow from roads to make driving easier and safer. Also,sandorsaltmay be added to the road to help tires grip the road. When salt is mixed with snow, the snow will melt more easily. This is because salt water has a lowermeltingpoint than fresh water (water without salt).

Ablizzardis a dangerous type of a snowstorm. A blizzard produces strongwindsthat keep the snow in the air, thus reducingvisibility.Sometimes it producethunder snow,which is snow withlightningand thunder.