<p>I'm a keen skier, and I've often been happily surprised by snow fall despite temperatures of 1 or even 2 °C.
After some research I found that the explanation relies in assuming that these above freezing temperatures are confined to a layer close to the surface as explained here:
<a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/15198/can-it-snow-when-temps-are-above-freezing" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/15198/can-it-snow-when-temps-are-above-freezing</a></p>

<p>However, today I saw the same phenomenon on a ski resort that reports temperatures at different heights, suggesting that the above freezing temperatures extended by at least a kilometer from the base. However,  there were fluffy snowflakes falling anyways.</p>

<p>How can that happen?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T04:49:21.380Z
Hi Jack, I saw that question but only read the accepted answer. So it is sublimation what keep the snowflakes frozen? That makes sense. Should I delete this question?
In the link I posted said that evaporation of snowflakes cools down the air, but didn't explain it can keep snow cold on warm air.
Pedro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T04:57:55.110Z
I found this link with a good explanation of that effect and even a calculator: http://www.sciencebits.com/SnowAboveFreezing
That's explain what I saw. Thanks!
Pedro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T07:39:52.777Z
No need to delete... in fact as I reread it, I'm convinced it's not really quite a duplicate... in fact I think there's something important in the data you mentioned.  I plan on piecing a quick answer together.
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-19T08:05:19.767Z
@Pedro: Reading through some papers, my answer appears not entirely as simple as I thought it might be.  I still may be able to work up a decent useful answer if you can tell me the location you were at
JeopardyTempest
<precipitation><snow>
How can snow be falling with consistent above freezing temperatures?
Pedro
# How can snow be falling with consistent above freezing temperatures?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-18)

I'm a keen skier, and I've often been happily surprised by snow fall despite temperatures of 1 or even 2 °C.
After some research I found that the explanation relies in assuming that these above freezing temperatures are confined to a layer close to the surface as explained here:
<https://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/15198/can-it-snow-when-temps-are-above-freezing>

However, today I saw the same phenomenon on a ski resort that reports temperatures at different heights, suggesting that the above freezing temperatures extended by at least a kilometer from the base. However, there were fluffy snowflakes falling anyways.

How can that happen?

**Tags:** precipitation, snow

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hi Jack, I saw that question but only read the accepted answer. So it is sublimation what keep the snowflakes frozen? That makes sense. Should I delete this question? In the link I posted said that evaporation of snowflakes cools down the air, but didn't explain it can keep snow cold on warm air.  
> **username_0**: I found this link with a good explanation of that effect and even a calculator: http://www.sciencebits.com/SnowAboveFreezing That's explain what I saw. Thanks!  
> **username_1**: No need to delete... in fact as I reread it, I'm convinced it's not really quite a duplicate... in fact I think there's something important in the data you mentioned.  I plan on piecing a quick answer together.  
> **username_1**: @username_0: Reading through some papers, my answer appears not entirely as simple as I thought it might be.  I still may be able to work up a decent useful answer if you can tell me the location you were at  

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## 0 answers

