< p >只是根据我以前的经验湿润的雪,一般来说,更大的雪花。Some online sources say that raindrops do have a maximum size before they start to break apart when surface tension can no longer withstand air resistance, however the maximum size of a snowflake is less defined (1&2). One source also states that light winds and a wetter snow is more conducive to larger flakes because the light wind helps keep them from breaking into pieces, and the additional moisture creates a film which helps the flakes stick together (2). I understand that it may be difficult to measure a snowflake before it melts and that may be why the only non-confirmed size that I have found is from the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records of an eye witness account in 1887 of a snowflake 15" wide by 18" deep (3).
So my question is twofold:
- Is there a theoretical limit to how large a single snowflake can be?
- If there is a reliable way to measure snowflakes, what is the largest snowflake ever measured?
Sources:
http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/261/
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/32e2nf/what_is_the_maximum_size_of_a_raindrop/?st=jhi2ljz8&sh=25942d8e
https://www.reference.com/science/big-can-snowflakes-a119e8a009c4d4ac