Does snow always get fluffier as temperatures get colder?
No. Studies in the Rocky Mountains have shown that the fluffiest, lowest density, or water-to-snow ratio (0.01 – 0.05) snows typically fall with light winds and temperatures near -9 degrees Celsius (15 degrees Fahrenheit). At colder temperatures, the crystal structure and size change. At very cold temperatures (near and below -18 degrees Celsius or 0 degrees Fahrenheit) crystals tend to be smaller so that they pack more closely together as they accumulate, producing snow that may have a density of 0.10 or more.
No. Studies in the Rocky Mountains have shown that the fluffiest, lowest density (0.01 – 0.05) snows typically fall with light winds and temperatures near 15°F. At colder temperatures, the crystal structure and size change. At very cold temperatures (near and below 0°F) crystals tend to be smaller so that they pack more closely together as they accumulate producing snow that may have a density (water-to-snow ratio) of 0.10 or more.
