Snow flurry

File:20080307 Niagara Square to Lafayette Square.jpg

Snow flurry refers to a brief and light snowfall that does not produce significant accumulation on the ground. Snow flurries are characterized by their short duration and light intensity, often resulting in a dusting of snow rather than a substantial layer.

Characteristics

Snow flurries typically occur when a cold air mass moves over a relatively warmer surface, causing the air to cool and moisture to condense into snowflakes. These snowflakes are usually small and light, leading to a scattered and intermittent snowfall. Unlike snow showers, which can be more intense and lead to measurable accumulation, snow flurries are generally inconsequential in terms of snow depth.

Formation

The formation of snow flurries is often associated with cold fronts or upper-level disturbances in the atmosphere. When cold air moves over a warmer surface, such as a body of water or warmer ground, it can pick up moisture and create conditions conducive to the formation of snowflakes. These snowflakes then fall to the ground as flurries.

Impact

Due to their light and brief nature, snow flurries typically do not have a significant impact on daily activities. They may, however, reduce visibility temporarily and create slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks. In some cases, snow flurries can be a precursor to more significant snowfall if weather conditions change.

Related Weather Phenomena

• Snow shower
• Snowstorm
• Blizzard
• Lake-effect snow
• Graupel

See Also

• Weather
• Precipitation
• Meteorology
• Cold front
• Upper-level disturbance