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Fast Facts About Snowflakes© Mary M. Alward
Some parts of the country have already seen snow this year. Others will soon be watching fluffy white flakes drift from the sky. This week, we're going to take a close look at snowflakes.
Every snowflake has its own unique shape and is different than all other snowflakes. All snowflakes have six sides. Snowflakes aren't always white. Years ago, when coal was used in factories and homes, snow was often gray. Why? Because the coal dust entered the air and was absorbed by the clouds. In Prince Edward Island, Canada, where the soil is red clay, snowflakes often look pink. Why? Because red dust from the soil is blown into the air and absorbed by the clouds. The largest snowflakes ever recorded fell in the state of Montana in the United States of America. The snowflakes were 15 inches in diameter. The snow capital of the United States is Stampede Pass in Washington State. Each year, the average snowfall is 430 inches. The average snowflake falls at a speed of 3.1 miles per hour. (5 kilometers) Snirt is dirty snow that flies off the dusty Canadian prairies. People buy more cakes, cookies and candies than any other food when a blizzard is in the forecast. A blizzard occurs when you can't see for 1/4 mile. The winds are always 35 miles an hour or more. The storm must last at least 3 hours to be classed as a blizzard. If any of these conditions are less, it is only a snowstorm. Billions of snowflakes fall during one short snowstorm. That snowflakes are made up of ice crystals. Crystal Snow Art What you need: White construction paper Red construction paper Black construction paper White glossy paper 4 plastic containers Water Alum Pickling salt Epsom salts White granulated sugar Q-Tips What to do: Put 1/2 cup of water into each of the 4 containers. Add 2 tablespoons of each of the following to each of the containers. (Alum, pickling salt, white granulated sugar, epsom salts.) You should have four containers containing 1/2 cup of water and one of the ingredients. Guess which of the colored papers will make the best snow art picture. Write your answer on a piece of paper if there are several children taking part in the experiment. Dip a Q-Tip in one of the containers and draw a picture on the black paper. Using another Q-Tip dip it in a different container and draw on the red construction paper. Do the same with the remaining containers and paper. Let your projects dry completely. Use a magnifying glass to view the crystals and geodes made by the salts, sugar and alum. Go To Page: 1 2
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