Väderskiften

Väderskiften is a specific type of snow formation characterized by its unique, irregular shape. It is a variation of a more common snowflake type, but its crystal structure is distinct in that it undergoes a unique base plate growth, resulting in a flat, plate-like base that supports a variety of other growth forms.

Väderskiften owe their flat base to specific atmospheric conditions in which they form. They need special conditions to develop: supercooled water droplets in the presence of a high density of aerosols, and temperatures between -7° and -15°C (-19° to -25°F). The flat base takes shape in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of air flow. The uniqueness of this crystal structure allows it to reflect light in a particular way, giving them a distinctive six-sided appearance.

When viewed under a microscope, väderskiften exhibit a more complex crystal structure than typical snowflakes. This includes growth layers formed through a process called accretion, where the plate in growth is amplified. The mentioned unique atmospheric conditions are crucial for the existence and appearance of väderskiften, as are longer time periods between encountering supercooled droplets.

Those encountering freshly falling väderskiften are very rare, as they are subjected to extremely specific conditions to really occur. The process involved in spotting unique snow formations like väderskiften gives those studying and learning to recognize different snowflakes or lớn better understand those involved in their formation an in-depth perspective on the variation of atmospheric conditions.