What are the factors that cause the formation of snow? Does snowfall in a region generally depend on climatic and geographical factors such as latitude, altitude, distance from the main water sources and the type of air mass cycle in the region? What other factors are involved in your opinion?
Dear Abbas,
in addition to the factors you mention (altitude, lattitude, ambient air temperature etc.), seed crystals usually constitute another precondition for snow to form. However, even under the presence of suitable seed crystals in the atmosphere, snow formation usually only sets in below - 12 °C. And if there are no seed crystals (at all), fluid water may in some instances not even freeze/cristalize up to almost - 50 °C.
And, yes, as you say, cloud formation will also depend on the prevailing weather systems in the given area. Mid-lattitude dynamic low-pressure systems with their warm and cold fronts are a typical example. Proximity to large water bodies can also enhance or enable snow formation as does the combined effect of winds and orography (mountains).
Finally, actual snowfall observed at ground level of course requires the snow crystals not to melt on their (usually quite slow!) way to the ground. So the temperature gradient between ground level and the snow cloud formation level will be important, too.
Best,
Julius
Hello, dear Mr. Javelis
I am also very happy with your interesting answer. Thank you
Before it becomes snow the cloud (some 1 to 1.5 km above ground) releases water that cools on the way to the ground if the near-ground air temperature is below zero.
If there is not enough time for the water to turn into snow crystals then it becomes freezing rain.
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