A University of Missouri climatologist confirms the maxim that no two snowflakes are exactly like.
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Snowflakes are made up of clusters of ice crystals that form when water vapor condenses directly into ice in the clouds. The crystals grow in different forms depending on the temperature and humidity, said Pat Guinan.
"Each snowflake is exposed to a set of unique environmental conditions as it falls through the cloud on the way to the earth. In a controlled environment we could perhaps get some identical growth, but we will not see that in the real word," he said.
"Despite the trillions and trillions of snowflakes that come down there is no proof that any of these have been identical," he said. "That’s why the maxim that no two snowflakes are alike has some validity."
Snowflakes do have a basic six-fold symmetry caused by the water molecules in ice that form a hexagonal lattice. Sometimes the snow crystals fall as simple hexagonal prisms, but usually they form more complex shapes.
Some long-timers in Missouri say the state hasn’t been getting as much snow as it used to and they are right, said Guinan.
Guinan said that Missouri has been seeing less snow in recent years due to mild winters. Average snow fall during the past 30 years in Missouri has been between 20 and 22 inches.
"Since about 1990, snowfall has been well below normal. And we’ve only averaged about 16 inches," he said. "Warmer-than-normal weather has limited our snowfall opportunities over the past 15 years."
"Alternately, we had some very cold winters during the 1970s, particularly the late 70s, and that contributed to a very snowy period. In fact, that was the snowiest decade on record, which increases our 30-year average," he said.
The National Weather Service Climate Center predicts another mild winter this year, which means we likely will have below-average snowfall, he said.