One hundred people were dead. Winter storms and blizzards may not always be as dramatic as the one that blanketed the northeastern United States in 1996, but their potential to disrupt everyday activities is great. Commerce is interrupted. Property damage can occur from flooding or structural collapse. These storms may not rival hurricanes or tornadoes in destructive power, but they are an effective annual reminder of our planet's dynamic climate.
Snow begins in the atmosphere as water condenses into a tiny droplet.
As more and more water vapor condenses onto its surface, the droplet grows. Cold air then freezes this water into an ice crystal. Each ice crystal has a unique shape that depends on the surrounding air's temperature and water vapor content. If it is below freezing and there is a lot of water vapor in the air, the crystal grows six evenly spaced branches. More and more water vapor collects on these branches and freezes, making the ice crystal increasingly heavy.