too cold to snow

adonis

so,
who can explain this bizzare statement to me and all the other boardsters out there...

Nimrod's Son

Turns out that statement is a load of old cock and bull:
http://nsidc.org/snow/faq.html

See question 3.

adonis

that link dont be workin' ... . .

Nimrod's Son

Curious, it works for me...
Anyway, this is what it says:
"Is it ever too cold to snow? No, it can snow even at incredibly cold temperatures as long as there is some source of moisture and some way to lift or cool the air. It is true, however, that most heavy snowfalls occur with relatively warm air temperatures near the ground - typically 15°F or warmer since air can hold more water vapor at warmer temperatures."

(Oh and it's Q4, not 3. My bad).

seamus

You'll find it less likely to snow (properly) when there's a very cold wind blowing (and thus making it "too cold to snow") for reasons of diminished moisture as you quote above. And Ireland is a windy country.

The_B_Man

hmm i only said that to a chinese girl this morning whjo had never seen snow. weird.....and interesting!

Winter Slide

seamus wrote:

You'll find it less likely to snow (properly) when there's a very cold wind blowing (and thus making it "too cold to snow") for reasons of diminished moisture as you quote above. And Ireland is a windy country.

hmmm, not sure about that. dunno if the boys who survived the aul Soviet Gulags would agree with that and they had it pretty f***ing windy and cold