Why does it snow instead of rain

Great question, Paityn! Exactly, Ivy! Perhaps you'll want explore some place that's much warmer, like the Canary Islands! We agree, Christian Ryan!

Did you know there can actually be snow when it is not cold? We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition. You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is:.

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Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. What's the difference between snow, sleet, and freezing rain? How can it be raining when it's freezing outside? Can it be too cold to snow? Wonder What's Next?

Try It Out Brr! Be sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member: The atmosphere isn't the only one who can have fun with ice. You can, too! With help from a friend or family member, you can learn How To Supercool Water using purified water and your freezer. It may not be snow, sleet, or freezing rain, but we think you'll find it super cool.

Did you realize you can make it rain indoors? It's true! Grab a friend or family member to help you Make It Rain using the simple online instructions for this fun science experiment. All you'll need are a few simple items you probably already have around the house. Have fun and don't forget your umbrella! Up for a challenge? All you'll need is some baking soda and hair conditioner. Have some toy penguins? Make igloos of snow for them to play in! Did you get it? Test your knowledge.

What are you wondering? Wonder Words sleet snow rain cold ice cloud freezing shallow winter weather surface vapor meteorologist precipitation atmosphere immediately temperature snowflake Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion.

Feb 3, Dec 20, Maybe a re-read would help you out, izzy. The first paragraph states: "As we make it through the winter , meteorologists in many parts of the country are predicting all sorts of cold - weather precipitation : snow , sleet , freezing rain. Rhyse Dec 5, I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove Wonderopolis.

Dec 10, Rhyse Dec 18, Dec 18, Natalie Dec 4, Erik Oct 9, I think this is a very good wonder good job! Oct 10, Jun 11, And we're thrilled to hear from you, leodkejici! I have learned the difference between rain, snow and sleet! We wonder if rain can turn in snow when it hits the ground! Aug 12, Jul 31, Lilly Jul 23, Jul 24, Lilly's question how is a snowflake formed and how cold is This is how snow falls when the surface temperatures are above freezing.

Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available. Credits and Acknowledgments for WW These snow flakes develop somewhere above the freezing level where the air temperature is less than 32 F the dashed blue line , and begin to fall toward the earth as snow. If ground temperature is above 32 F, the freezing level must be located somewhere above the ground.

The falling snow passes through the freezing level into the warmer air, where it melts and changes to rain before reaching the ground. When the air temperature at the ground is less than 32 F, the precipitation begins falling as snow from the clouds.

Since it is falling into cold air, the snow does not melt on the way down and reaches the ground as snow.