The blog explore the fascinating, yet somewhat contested, record for the world’s largest snowflake. While many large snowflakes have been reported over the years, the title officially belongs to a snowflake that fell in Montana in 1887.

A Snowflake of Epic Proportions:

According to Guinness World Records, this colossal snowflake measured a staggering 15 inches in diameter and 8 inches thick. It fell during a winter storm on January 27, 1887, at Fort Keogh, Montana. A nearby rancher, witnessing this meteorological marvel, described the flakes as being “larger than milk pans”. Soldiers stationed at the fort also observed the snowflake, comparing its size to that of a dinner plate.

A Blizzard of Scepticism:

Despite its official recognition, the claim of a 15-inch snowflake has been met with scepticism from some scientists. Kenneth Libbrecht, a physicist from Caltech, is among those who doubt the accuracy of this measurement. Libbrecht and others question whether such a large snowflake could have remained intact during its descent, suggesting that it may have been a clump of multiple snowflakes that fused together.

Other Notable Snowflakes:

While the 1887 Montana snowflake holds the official record, there have been other reports of remarkably large snowflakes:

  • 1915: A winter storm in Berlin produced snowflakes measuring up to four inches wide.
  • 1970: Laramie, Wyoming, experienced a winter storm that brought snowflakes up to three inches wide.
  • 1992: A storm near St. John’s, Newfoundland, yielded snowflakes up to two inches wide.

The Science of Snowflake Formation:

Understanding the formation of snowflakes can shed light on the possibility of such large snowflakes existing. Snowflakes are formed when water vapour in the atmosphere freezes into ice crystals. These crystals grow as they fall through the air, collecting more water molecules. Larger snowflakes typically form when temperatures are close to freezing and there is sufficient moisture in the air.

Individual Snow Crystal Record:

While large snowflakes can form through the aggregation of smaller crystals, the largest individual snow crystal ever documented measured 10 mm (0.39 in) from tip to tip. This remarkable crystal was observed in Cochrane, Ontario, Canada, in 2003.

The quest to determine the true size of the world’s largest snowflake continues. While the Montana snowflake holds the current record, ongoing research and scientific analysis may reveal new insights and potentially challenge existing claims.

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