YOUR SCIENCE FACT OF THE DAY: Snowflake Shapes Are Determined by Air Temperature.

The surrounding air temperature influences the shape of individual snowflakes.

Long, thin, needle-like ice crystals form around 28 degrees Fahrenheit while flat, plate-like crystals tend to form around lower temperatures of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Further air temperature changes that the snowflake encounters as it falls determine the shape of the six arms of the snowflake.