Are snowflakes really unique?

We were told as kids that each snowflake that falls is unique. Of course as children we did not carry a microscope to examine each flake and probably just continued on playing in the snow. So, is that flake unique?

Some believe that they are not as unique as believed, at least at first. Snowflakes come in about eight different shapes with some slight variations, totaling about thirty-five different shapes. The flake forms when a droplet of water comes in contact with a particle of dust or pollen in the air forming an ice crystal. The water molecules arrange themselves creating a prism. The bonds though are weak so the molecules try to align themselves for maximum strength thus removing weaker molecules. As the flake begins to fall the look is very similar to other flakes, if not the same.

There are approximately ten quintillion (10¹⁹) molecules that make up a snowflake by the time it hits the ground though so given the odds there is a good chance that at least at the molecular level each flake is unique. As the flake falls more water freezes onto it forming new crystals. As the flake continues to fall it is at the mercy of more atmospheric conditions like the air temperature and humidity. A higher humidity produces more intricate crystals and drier air produces less complex ones.

This is a question that will probably never be truly answered. Not only would someone have to examine each snowflake at the microscopic level but they would have to examine each as it fell. Just think about how many flakes fell into a parking lot. That person could spend the rest of their lives examining each flake in a small parking lot alone and the snow would certainly melt well before then anyway.

While this in an intriguing question commercial property owners have bigger questions like when is their properties going to be cleared of snow? If you own a business in Central Pennsylvania from Chambersburg to Hershey and any points in between like Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Harrisburg and Middletown, you can be assured that Michael B. Stoner Inc. will be working to clear you lot as quickly as possible. We have 30 years of experience working in all types of weather conditions and we are working to clear our customer’s properties as soon as the white stuff begins falling. If you have a business and are looking for snow and ice removal services give us a call at 717-245-2225 or visit our contact page. Trust the best, trust Michael B. Stoner Inc.