Ice Crystals

Hexagonal ice formations that form in the atmosphere.

ice particles frozen water droplets

Ice crystals are tiny, hexagonal ice formations that form in the atmosphere. They are a key component of snow and can create beautiful patterns.

/aɪs ˈkrɪstəl/

The term 'ice crystal' combines 'ice,' from Old English ís, and 'crystal,' derived from Greek word for clear stone.

Ice crystals are tiny, beautiful shapes made of frozen water that float in the sky and make up clouds or fall as snow.

Ice crystals can form in a wide variety of shapes, including needles, plates, and columns
No two snowflakes are exactly alike
They play a crucial role in weather patterns

What are ice crystals? They are tiny frozen water particles, often hexagonal in shape
How do they form? They form when water vapor freezes directly into ice crystals in the atmosphere
What causes their shapes? The molecular structure of water and atmospheric conditions influence their shape

snowflake

precipitation ice

dendrites columnar crystals plate crystals

water molecules

snow frost

meteorological phenomenon natural object