Weather Words: Stellar Dendrite

Just as there are many different types of clouds, there are also many different types of snowflakes. A snowflake is formed when a tiny water droplet attaches and freezes to a pollen or dust particle in the sky. The shape of a snowflake is determined by the air temperature around it when it forms, and one of the most common and picturesque types of snowflake is the stellar dendrite.

The stellar dendrite best forms in temperatures around 5 degrees Fahrenheit and are known for their star shaped appearance. Dendritic means “tree-like,” so these snowflakes have little branches that stretch from the center. They are absolutely beautiful when photographed up close.

These particular snow crystals are roughly 2-4 mm in diameter, and their intricacies can easily be seen with the naked eye. It’s true that no two snowflakes are exactly alike because they all form in slightly varying atmospheric conditions. However, all snowflakes have similar six-sided shapes. This is due to the way water molecules join together in a hexagonal pattern.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.