Talk:Panhandle hook

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Contradiction[edit]

The text reads:

Therefore, in the areas where it snows, the temperature is usually close to the magic 28 °F (-2 °C) number where snowflakes are at their maximum volume,[citation needed] increasing accumulations still further. The higher moisture content of the snow also means that it will be heavier.

The density of water is at a maximum at 4 °C[1], but I can't recall this tidbit about snowflakes. This needs a source. This diagram (from this website) is graphing something different (supersaturation of liquid water vapor in the air vs. temperature, showing which types of snowflakes are expected to form at each level of H₂O supersaturation), but shows no inflection point of any kind at 28 °F. In fact, I would expect maximum (specific) volume to be around 8 °F or so. The condensation rate of supercooled liquid water onto the snowflake (growth) would far outpace the snowflake consolidation/sintering rate, leading to the bulkiest flakes (i.e. the least dense flakes).

Assuming for a moment that the original assertion is true, then the snow is at its maximum (specific) volume and therefore at its minimum density. Therefore, the next bit about the snow being heavier is irrelevant and incorrect to mention in this situation. Ufwuct 16:48, 5 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]