Meteorological Classification of Snow Crystals

Abstract

From a meteorological point of view, Nakaya's classification of natural snow crystals was modified and supplemented. By this improvement of the classification, the certain inconveniences in the description of crystal shapes of natural snow crystals were removed, particularly in unsymmetrical or irregular shapes. By the use of this improved classification, the temperature and vapor supply conditions for the growth of various kinds of natural snow crystals were described. The conditions were determined by meteorological observation methods. It may be seen that the conditions are very similar to Nakaya's Ta-s diagram. This means that the Nakaya's diagram is applicable to the formation of natural snow crystals.