how warm can it be outside and it still snow?

Question

A co-worker and I were discussing snow flurries this morning. He said it was too warm outside for snow (almost 40*) (even though there were some flurries this morning here in WV) and I disagreed saying that it is possible (and I have witnessed it) for it to snow when it is 40* outside. Can anyone else give some input on this? Also, is there such a thing as it being too cold to snow? I have also heard this statement from people and believe it to be true.

Answer 1

i think 32 degrees ... I know its 0 degrees for celcuis
I'm sorry if I'm wrong...

Answer 2

First: no, it can not be too cold to snow. However, the lower the temperature, the lower the humidity and thus less snow will fall, if all other conditions are just right. In many places of the Rocky Mountain region, snow will fall with temperatures as high as 58 degrees F. It won't stick...
Snow comes from the higher reaches (when you are already at more than a mile above sea level, the concept is more fun!), so even if it is comparatively warm at ground level, snow can, will, and does fall.

Answer 3

It all depends on how "shallow" the layer of warm air is at the surface when the snow is falling.

For instance, if you have a frontal system moving in, it could conceivably snow at 40F if the air that is coming in behind the front is considerably colder. Without getting too in depth with meteorology, if it does snow at 40F, it will either change over to all rain fairly rapidly or the temperature will begin to fall.

But, yes, it can snow at 40F. It's not common, but certainly possible.

Answer 4

It CAN (rarely if it does) snow when the temperature outside is in the mid to upper 30's F. Its in the process of melting into straight-up rain, but is still frozen enough to appear white as it falls to earth. Sometimes this can come in the form of (as I like to call it) "falling slush." I've also heard that it can be too cold to snow, but I'm not completely certain as to why. Perhaps it has something to do with the dryness of super-cold air.

Answer 5

March 28, 2015 it is snowing now here in Southaven, ms. It is 41 degrees! This is why I looked it up, did not know that it could be so warm and snow!

Answer 6

32 otherwise the water will not freez, but it can be warmeron ground level, but the snow will melt

the 32 and below temps are just where the snow may form

Answer 7

it snows as high as 34 or 35...but it doesn't stick around long at all if it doesn't melt when it touches ground