Are Snowflakes Really Unique?

Snowflakes are renowned for their uniqueness. No matter how many billions of them fall from the sky, there are never two the same. ... Every single one of the snowflakes in this picture has its own unique pattern.

Is it true that every snowflake is unique?

The short answer is, yes, because each ice crystal has a unique path to the ground. They will float through different clouds of different temperatures and different levels of moisture, which means the ice crystal will grow in a unique way.

How do we know that every snowflake is different?

In ice crystals, water molecules line up and form a six-sided shape called a hexagon. This is why all snowflakes are six-sided! ... This shapes each snowflake differently. Two snowflakes from the same cloud will have different sizes and shapes because of their different journeys to the ground.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.