Why does snow fall?

How snow forms

Snow falls when the air is cold enough for water vapor to freeze. Water from rivers, lakes, and oceans rises into the air as vapor.

As it rises higher, the air becomes colder. When the temperature is below 0 °C, the water vapor changes into tiny ice crystals instead of water drops.

These crystals stick together and grow into snowflakes.

As snowflakes become heavier, they fall to the ground because of gravity. If the air stays cold all the way down, the snow reaches the ground without melting.

If the air is warmer, the snow melts and turns into rain. That is why snow usually falls in winter or in cold places.