22 Mind-Blowing Snow Facts You Won't Belive

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published October 6, 2025

Hail and sleet are no considered to be snow. Sleet is frozen raindrops. Hailstones are ice balls._[1]
Because snow is frozen water or ice, it can be classified as a mineral. A mineral is defined as a naturally occurring homogeneous solid, inorganically formed, with a chemical composition and ordered atomic arrangement. Snow fits all of these categories._[1]
In 1992, Syracuse, New York (one of the country's snowiest cities) passed a decree that snow after Christmas Eve was illegal. It snowed just two days later._[1]
At the molecular and atomic level, snowflakes differ in terms of number of atoms and isotope ration. On the macroscopic scale, two snowflakes can appear identical in size and shape._[5]
Snow can appear pink. This happens most often in high alpine regions and costal polar regions that contain red-pigmented cryophilic fresh-water algae._[9]

Have you ever seen pink snow?

The largest snowflake ever recorded is 15 inches wide. It was observed in January 1887 at Fort Keogh, Montana._[3]
Snow is actually colorless. However because it's translucent rather than transparent, a snowflake's faceted surface reflects light and creates its white appearance._[9]
Alaska, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and New York are the top five states for the most snow._[6]

When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.

- Unknown

Not surprisingly, Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana receive the least snow in the U.S._[6]
The greatest snow in a 24-hour period occurred at Capracotta, Italy on March 5, 2015, at 100.8 inches._[7]
Japanese macaques, also known as "snow monkeys" love the snow and will even make snow balls and play with them._[8]

A perfect way to enjoy the snow

The largest snowstorm in the U.S. fell over a seven-day period, February 13-19, 1959 in Mt. Shasta Ski Bowl in California at 109 inches._[7]
In order for a snowstorm to be classified as a blizzard, winds must blow at least 35 mph, and visibility must be less than 0.25 miles for at least 3 hours._[2]
A snow squall is not a blizzard; it is an intense snowfall with intense winds that only lasts a short time. A snow burst is a brief, intense snowfall that creates a rapid accumulation of snow._[2]
The most famous blizzard in the U.S. is the Great Blizzard of 1888 between March 11 and 14. About 400 people died during the storm._[2]
The word "igloo" is Inukitut for "house." Traditionally, they were made of hard snow known as pukaangajuq and could hold up to 20 people. The hard snow helps insulate the igloo._[4]
Most snow forms in air temperatures above 15 degrees or F. When temperatures drop below zero, heavy snow is unlikely to form, not because it's too cold but because it's too dry. When temperatures are that low, the air has a harder time holding water vapor._[2]

Do you have a fear of snow?

Chionophobia is the fear of snow._[1]
While snow is unlikely with extremely low temperatures, experts say that snow only becomes impossible at absolute zero._[2]
It takes a snowflake about 1 hour to reach the ground._[1]
The difference between snow and sleet or hail is that snowflakes form around one single particle, such as a speck of dust or piece of pollen. Sleet is frozen raindrops, and hail is sleet droplets that collect water as they fall._[1]
Some snowflakes are so tiny that they are invisible to the naked eye. Their delicate patterns are only visible under a microscope._[1]