How cold does it have to be for water to freeze before it hits the ground when thrown outside?

Question

when I was growing up in Northern British Columbia I can remember me throwing out dishwater and it would be icicles before it fell to the snow. Is that cold or what?

Answer 1

About 32 degreesF but it depends

Answer 2

In order for 1 gram of water to change from 33 degrees to 32 degrees it must lose 1 calorie of heat to its environment. But for 1 gram of 32 degree water to change to 1 gram of 32 degree ice, it must lose 333 calories to its environment. So if you have a lake or pond or even a bottle of water outside, it might take a little while to lose those calories. (eg: a 1 liter bottle of water,1000 grams, would need to lose 333,000 calories at 32 degrees F to freeze. that's 333 food calories. Imagine how much a lake would have to lose!)
I'd say it was DARN COLD UP THAR!!!

Answer 3

Yea, that's cold alright! I live in west Texas and I saw it so cold that one year I let the dog out and 5 minutes later I had to go out and break him off the fire hydrant! Now that's COLD!