How does snow form if the ground temperature is above freezing

From FIS Freestyle wiki

Snow forms when the atmospheric temperature is at or below freezing (0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and there is a minimum amount of moisture in the air. If the ground temperature is at or below freezing, of course the snow will reach the ground.

However, the snow can still reach the ground when the ground temperature is above freezing if the conditions are just right. In this case, snowflakes will begin to melt as they reach this warmer temperature layer; the melting creates evaporative cooling which cools the air immediately around the snow flake.This cooling retards melting. As a general rule, though, snow will not form if the ground temperature is 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit).

[edit] Other Snow FAQ

• How big can snowflakes get?
• Why is snow white?
• Is it ever too cold to snow?
• When is it too warm to snow?
• How does snow form if the ground temperature is above freezing?
• Why do weather forecasters seem to have so much trouble forecasting snow?
• Why does snow crunch when you step on it and at what temperature does it crunch?
• Does snow change how sound waves travel?

or see Snow and Weather Glossary

[edit] Also See

[edit] Reference;

1. National Snow and Ice Data Center [1]

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