Snow Crystal Forms and Riming Effects as Related to Snowfall Density and General Storm Conditions

Abstract

A good relationship between the density of newly fallen snow and the form of the predominant crystal which makes up the snowfall has been found at Montreal. A marked influence of riming in increasing the snowfall density is found. A dependence of the degree of riming upon snow crystal form is also indicated. Evidence that in some cases the snow growth levels were associated with high relative humidity at the base of a frontal inversion aloft is presented. A continuous automatic snow crystal recorder using the Formvar replica principle is described.