This snowflake (2018.01.05a) was collected on Jan. 05, 2018 at 5:45pm. Using Magano and Lee (1966), this snowflake is classified as a Stellar Crystal with Plates at Ends (P2n). The growth of this snowcrystal (and its resultant morphology) was controlled by weather conditions during its decent in the atmosphere. The following atmospheric conditions are recorded by this snowcrystal: a) the morphology which exhibits a stellar crystal form with plated ends, b) thermal limits of this snowflake which show that it was formed between -11 and -15oC, and c) temperature/humidity conditions which show that the flake formed at the water saturation point at approximately -13oC. Basically, this snowcrystal records the chaotic series of events from deposition of water vapor on a nucleus (e.g., dust particle) to collection. As a result of these specific conditions, this flake formed quickly at approximately the water saturation point. This resulted in the distinct morphology referred to as a “stellar crystal with plates at ends”.

Magano, C. and Lee, C.W., 1966, Meterological classification of natural snowcrystals: Journal of the Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University. Series 7, Geophysics, 2(4): 321-335.