Snow

prefLabel
  • Snow
definition
  • A type of frozen precipitation composed of white or translucent ice crystals, chiefly in complex branch hexagonal form and often agglomerated into snow-flakes, especially at temperatures warmer than -5 C (23 F). 
narrower
closeMatch
broader
Abstract from DBPedia
    Snow comprises individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere—usually within clouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water throughout its life cycle, starting when, under suitable conditions, the ice crystals form in the atmosphere, increase to millimeter size, precipitate and accumulate on surfaces, then metamorphose in place, and ultimately melt, slide or sublimate away. Snowstorms organize and develop by feeding on sources of atmospheric moisture and cold air. Snowflakes nucleate around particles in the atmosphere by attracting supercooled water droplets, which freeze in hexagonal-shaped crystals. Snowflakes take on a variety of shapes, basic among these are platelets, needles, columns and rime. As snow accumulates into a snowpack, it may blow into drifts. Over time, accumulated snow metamorphoses, by sintering, sublimation and freeze-thaw. Where the climate is cold enough for year-to-year accumulation, a glacier may form. Otherwise, typically melts seasonally, causing runoff into streams and rivers and recharging groundwater. Major snow-prone areas include the polar regions, the northernmost half of the Northern Hemisphere and mountainous regions worldwide with sufficient moisture and cold temperatures. In the Southern Hemisphere, snow is confined primarily to mountainous areas, apart from Antarctica. Snow affects such human activities as transportation: creating the need for keeping roadways, wings, and windows clear; agriculture: providing water to crops and safeguarding livestock; sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowmachine travel; and warfare. Snow affects ecosystems, as well, by providing an insulating layer during winter under which plants and animals are able to survive the cold.

    雪(ゆき、ドイツ語: Schnee、英語: Snow、フランス語: neige、ポルトガル語: neve)は、大気中の水蒸気から生成される氷の結晶が空から落下してくる天気。また、雪の氷晶単体である「雪片(せっぺん、snowflake)」、または降り積もった状態である「積雪(せきせつ、snowpackなど)」を指すこともある。後者と区別するために、前者を「降雪(こうせつ、snowfall)」と呼びわける場合もある。

    (Source: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Snow)

data publication(s) found by GCMD Science Keywords)