What more can be said about the upcoming weekend weather? Lots of sunshine, low humidity levels, pleasant afternoons and cool evenings. Record lows for this weekend are in the mid 50’s (we won’t be more than a few degrees away at Nashville International!) Next subject…
Kevin’s Class Question:
How do snowflakes make their shape? (Jackie in Crossville)
Snowflakes are made of ice, they can be one ice crystal, two or several stuck together. By growing snow crystals in a laboratory, scientists have found it all depends on the temperature and humidity as the crystal grows in its environment. The actual shape depends on the temperature inside the cloud. They tend to form simple shapes in low humidity and more complex shapes in higher humdity. The shapes have evrything to do with what’s called branching and faceting (a subject for another day.) Here’s a picture to show you how they organize:
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/primer/morphologydiagram.jpg
Amazing to think someday, we’ll be actually not only how much snow will fall, but what type of snowflakes!!!
Kevin’s Class airs Friday mornings during the 5:30 am half hour of News 2 This Morning. Feel free to e-mail me your weather question at weather@wkrn.com
Enjoy the weekend!!!
