Statement: If it is snowing then the temperature is below freezing...
2006-06-19 07:44:30 · 8 answers · asked by ›tªmmy‹ 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Well, it depends. Are you talking ground temperature, air temperature, cloud temp.? The ground temp doesn't have to be below freezing. However, the temp in the clouds has to be. This temp is often colder than ground temp, which means that snow will form even when the ground temp is above freezing. If the snow isn't warmed much on the way down, it will still be snow when it gets to the ground. Typically, according to Wikipedia.org, snow will fall at temps of 35-40 degrees F. and below.
A good counter-example would be sleet, which is snow that has partially thawed on its descent to the earth. Another good counter-example would be to tell the person to pay attention to the temp the next time it snows. I live in Indiana, and we get snow all the time with temps around 40 degrees F. It's not uncommon at all.
2006-06-19 08:08:37 · answer #1 · answered by rliedtky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not true. Quite often the temperature outside on the ground isn't below 32 degrees when it's snowing. The temperature in the high altitude is what matters, that's where snow forms.
2006-06-19 07:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Hax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order for snow flakes to form, it must be below freezing at the site of snowflake formation. It may be that they formed where it was below freezing and lasted long enough to fall in an area where it was above freezing; they just won't stick.
2006-06-19 07:51:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's possible for snow to fall when it's not quite freezing, but it won't stick to the ground. It's much colder up in the clouds and it may start to snow, but it may be cold enough (but not freezing) on the ground to allow the snow to fall before melting.
2006-06-19 07:49:02 · answer #4 · answered by corbeyelise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm, well this is kinda complicated. But to answer you in short, it does not have to be below freezing, or even freezing for it to snow.
It has a lot to do with the humidity of the air. The less humid it is, the warmer it can be to snow. The more humid it is, the colder it must be to snow.
2006-06-19 07:49:50 · answer #5 · answered by djmoe1987 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true, but only from where the snow formed. The temperature on the ground can be higher.
2006-06-19 07:49:22 · answer #6 · answered by Kraagenskul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The statement is not true. As for a conterexample I am not sure.
2006-06-19 07:48:22 · answer #7 · answered by amy_lynn49444 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-06-20 07:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋