Tag Archives: Ice

Is Dane County wind affected by Lake Superior ice?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Weather Guys Editor

A reader wondered whether his perception that it has become windier in southern Wisconsin over the past couple of decades has anything to do with the shorter Lake Superior ice season during the same time. Continue reading →

Category: Climate
Tags , ,
Comments Off on Is Dane County wind affected by Lake Superior ice?

How do snowflakes grow?

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Weather Guys Editor

A snowflake can be an individual ice crystal or an aggregate of ice crystals. Ice crystals can grow by water vapor deposition on the crystal or by collisions with other cloud particles.

An ice crystal can grow if the air around it has a relative humidity near 100 percent. The ice particle grows by water vapor deposition. Growth by deposition is generally slow. If you find nicely shaped snowflakes, they likely were produced by vapor deposition. Continue reading →

Category: Phenomena
Tags , ,
Comments Off on How do snowflakes grow?

Why do Bridges Ice before the Road?

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Weather Guys Editor

Living in a cold climate, we are used to seeing signs that say “bridge freezes before road.” The fundamental reason is that a bridge hangs above the ground, while the roadway rests on the ground. Water on a road or bridge will freeze once the surface becomes colder enough. So, the road must cool faster than the roadway. Continue reading →

Category: Weather Dangers
Tags , ,
Comments Off on Why do Bridges Ice before the Road?

What is Diamond Dust?

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Weather Guys Editor

Diamond dust is a cloud composed of tiny ice crystals that forms near the ground. It is often reported under clear sky conditions and so is also known as ‘clear-sky precipitation.’

The formation of diamond dust requires . . . Continue reading →

Category: Phenomena
Tags ,
Comments Off on What is Diamond Dust?