Snowflakes are not frozen [[rain]]drops. Sometimes raindrops do freeze as they fall, but this is called [[sleet]]. Sleet particles don't have any of the elaborate and symmetrical patterning found in snow crystals. Snow crystals form when water vapor condenses directly into ice, which happens in the clouds. The patterns emerge as the [[crystal]]s grow. | Snowflakes are not frozen [[rain]]drops. Sometimes raindrops do freeze as they fall, but this is called [[sleet]]. Sleet particles don't have any of the elaborate and symmetrical patterning found in snow crystals. Snow crystals form when water vapor condenses directly into ice, which happens in the clouds. The patterns emerge as the [[crystal]]s grow. |