Snow and Sleet

11:26am Monday 31st March 2008

On the near Continent snow is dry in nature and causes less problems than in Britain. Lower temperatures and drier air makes the snow powdery, it is easily blown off roads by snow blowers. But in the British Isle due to the influence of the Atlantic, the air holds more moisture and therefore the snow is heavier in weight causing problems. Snowflakes are larger when the air temperature is above the freezing point, small and grain-like when the thermometer reading is at or below zero. When water freezes, its molecules join together to form crystals. The word "crystal" comes from the Greek kryllos, meaning frost. If these crystals fall from a cloud, they may attach themselves to other crystals, forming snowflakes. A single snowflake may be made of more than 50 individual ice crystals. When temperatures are above zero by several degrees, the snowflake may partially melt, this mix of snow and water is then known as sleet.

Next week......Acid RainThe answer to last weeks question: Clear.This week's question: On the Continent is snow:

A/ Drier.

B/ Wetter.Good Luck.Glossary: Cirriform: A cloud of cirrus type that is fibrous or wispy, like hair blowing in the wind.Weather for coming week: Monday 31st March-Friday 4th AprilPressure somewhat higher through this coming week so the weather drier and also warmer.Good dry bright spells throughout, varied cloud, any showers light and few.Frost free nights and warmer days with light winds coming in 5-8 mph from between south-west and north-west.Maximum temperature 14-16c 57-61f.Minimum temperature 5-8c 41-46f.Last Week's Observations (Monday-Sunday)Highest day temperature.........14.8c 59f on Sunday 30th March.Lowest night temperature.........Minus 0.4c 32f on Wednesday 26th March.Wettest day.....................12.2 mm on Saturday 29th March.

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