Snow (precipitation)
Snow is a solid phase of precipitation that occurs when atmospheric water vapor deposits as ice crystals in clouds. This process, known as the Bergeron Process, skips the liquid phase of water, although it generally requires liquid water in the cloud to provide a supply of water vapor as the crystals grow. The complex crystalline forms cause snowflakes to fall slowly through the air compared to water droplets (rain). The crystal structure also refracts and scatters light, giving them a white appearance.
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