It may seem counterintuitive, but more snowfall during winter storms is an expected outcome of climate change. That added moisture means more precipitation in the form of heavy snowfall or downpours. During warmer months, this can cause record-breaking floods. But during the winter — when our part of the world is tipped away from the sun — temperatures drop, and instead of downpours we can get massive winter storms. Winters in the U. This wintertime warming trend is most prominent in some of the coldest areas of the country, such as the Northeast and Upper Midwest.
Researchers have found that the pace of winter warming has picked up in recent decades. Between and , winter in the mainland U. That's what you may be singing when Old Man Winter rolls through. But as you already know, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. For snow to fall, the right weather conditions have to exist. That means there must be moisture in the air, especially high up in the sky where it can fall to the ground as precipitation. The temperature also has to be just cold enough to make the moisture freeze into snowflakes rather than falling as raindrops.
Sometimes, it might be below freezing at ground level where you are, yet you get rained upon. What's up with that? Even when it's cold at ground level, it might be much warmer up higher in the atmosphere , so moisture falls as rain rather than snow.
At other times, it might be above freezing at ground level, but you look out your window to discover beautiful snowflakes falling. That means it's probably much colder up high in the atmosphere. The people who run ski resorts know very well how fickle Mother Nature can be.
They try to provide the very best skiing conditions for visitors for as long as possible, and that requires one thing: lots and lots of snow! Unfortunately, the weather conditions aren't always right for snow. That fact led some clever guys to invent a way to make snow with a machine way back in Snow machines use water and compressed air to shoot tiny water droplets into the air. As these water droplets hit the cold air, they form ice crystals that fall to the ground as snow. So even if there's not enough moisture in the air to snow, machines can make it snow on command!
However, it still has to be cold enough for the water droplets to crystallize into snowflakes. Machines also have to duplicate the natural process of snow formation as closely as possible. When real snow falls, the crystallization process is aided by dust and other small particles in the air.
Modern snow machines spray these same types of particles into the air, along with the water droplets, to help snow crystals form. Of course, you can still make something close to snow even if temperatures aren't cold enough.
In really warm areas, ice is sometimes chopped into tiny pieces and blown into the air to simulate snow. Modern ski slopes often feature manmade snowmaking machines that cost millions of dollars and rely upon miles of underground water and compressed -air pipes.
They can be used year-round to supplement natural snowfall, so that a more consistent snow level can be maintained. Unfortunately, skiing professionals point out that manmade snow, while made in a similar way to natural snow, is still different from natural snow. They claim manmade snow tends to pack together more tightly and thus becomes icy more quickly. This can be good for ski racers, but those who prefer to ski in fresh powder say it's just not the same!
Making manmade snow can also be very expensive — both in terms of money and resources needed. Are you ready to play in the snow? Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member:. I don't really know, because were I live it hasn't snowed in years. I wasn't born yet when it last snowed here. Whoa, crazy Llamacorn! I guess be grateful that isn't one of your winter chores. Thanks for replying, Llamacorn! We are glad you enjoyed the video, drake!
Snow blowers are very useful! Hi mason! We think is is cool how they can make snow in warmer weather. We love snow, too, Gretchen, and we hope you can visit a place that has snow this winter! We bet it's great to enjoy the mild winter weather where you live! We Wonder if you have ever been snow skiing before? Skiing is a very fun sport, we agree, Wonder Friend Megan!
However, without snow, it sure is tough to do! We learned all about manmade snow, but the fake snow can freeze and ice very easily, making skiing more difficult compared to real snow. We hope when you go skiing, there is LOTS of real snow! Thanks for sharing your comment! WOW, what a cool connection to our chilly Wonder, Jacob! We hope you have a super day, Wonder Friend!
Thanks for stopping by today! Snow machines sure do come in handy if it's not cold enough outside, you're right Laila S! Hey there, Tyler! Have you ever experienced manmade snow? It's very cool no pun intended to Wonder about how snow is made when it's not quite cold enough! Thanks so much for your kind comment, Wonder Friend Marsha! Hooray for holidays! Happy New Year, too! Hey there, Berkleigh!
We're so glad that you enjoyed our snowy Wonder! It's interesting to Wonder about places that make their own snow, in case the weather doesn't get cold enough. It sounds like you are one lucky duck-- you're going to be working on some WONDERful art projects with your new gifts! We appreciate your comment, Tori! We respect your thoughts about natural and artificial snow-- it's important to look at both sides of the idea! We bet you'll enjoy the next Wonder, too! We hope you'll be able to make a snow angel soon, Danielle!
We bet it would be a very fun time! Juggernaut Answer has 4 votes. Juggernaut 13 year member 98 replies Answer has 4 votes. I don't have a link for this, but I think it ties in to the fact that if air contains moisture it's typically warmer. So, when it isn't snowing the air is colder, but say some snow moves in -- that implies that the air moving in is actually warmer even though it may only be by a few degrees. Currently voted the best answer.
The excess moisture that is present actually gets deposited as frost. Warm air can hold more moisture think of humid summer days So when warmer air -holding more moisture- moves into cooler areas, the water molecules turn into snow! So to sum up- it gets warmer when it snows because the snowfall is a result of the current cold dry air you are feeling -being hit by a warm puff of moisture- lowering the temperature and causing snow!
0コメント