logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
30m 23s

The science of snow

RNZ
About this episode

Are all snowflakes really unique? What makes some snow better for skiing? And what's the difference between snow and hail? Join Alison Ballance and Katy Gosset as they hit the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and discover a science wonderland of snow.

You've probably heard the poetic fact that every single snowflake is unique.

This might be true on a molecular level, but doesn't quite pan out for macro snowflake shapes, Alison Ballance and Katy Gosset discover in this episode of 'The science of...'.

Follow Our Changing World on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic or wherever you listen to your podcasts

Alison and Katy trace the journey of a snowflake from its inception high in the atmosphere to its fate on Aotearoa's mountaintops, and discover why snow is not just important for skiers and snowboarders.

Join us as Alison and Katy hit the slopes of Ruapehu to dive into the fascinating science of snow.

To learn more:

Visit the original episode webpage for The science of snow.

Discover more "cool" science in Physics on ice and Glaciers as barometers of climate change.

Listen to this episode about using historic weather records and machine learning to predict future weather.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Up next
Sep 21
Searching sand dunes for lizards
Over 80% of our coastal dune ecosystems have been lost. So, what about the native species living with them? Ayana Piper-Healion steps into Bream Bay’s sand dunes with a monitoring team to see what lizards can tell us about the health of the sand dunes. Sign up to the Our Changing ... Show More
26m 10s
Sep 14
Ireland's experience of H5/N1 bird flu: A conversation with Niall Hatch
Highly pathogenic H5/N1 bird flu strain has been detected in New Zealand, but it's still early days. There are lots of unknowns about when it will start spreading here, and how our wildlife will react to the virus. But what has happened in other countries? Claire Concannon speaks ... Show More
20m 16s
Sep 14
H5/N1 bird flu is here, what does this mean for our wildlife?
After years of watching it move closer, the highly pathogenic H5/N1 strain of bird flu has arrived on our shores. It has left a trail of devastation, causing mass mortality events in many birds and mammal species. What do we know about this virus and how is one high-risk site pre ... Show More
29m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
<p><strong>#023 Rebroadcast<br /> </strong></p> <p>This week, Melissa and Jam explore the wintery chemistry of snowflakes. How do they form? How are they all unique? How do they look so gosh darn cool? Why don’t we see them here in Texas very much?</p> <p><strong>References from ... Show More
27m 52s
Dec 2015
Pink Snow, Black Snow, Space Snow, Weird Snow
<p>Sure, snow is one of those amazing natural wonders that we so often take for granted, but this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind is more concerned with the weirder corners of our winter wonderland. We're talking pink snow, black snow, blood snow, blue snow, alien snow, conspi ... Show More
52m 18s
Dec 2013
Snowflake Doppelganger
<p>Snowflake Doppelganger: Are snowflakes really one of a kind? How do they form and what do they have to do with grade school art projects, personal identity, climate change and Jack the Ripper? Find out in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind. And be sure to explore the acco ... Show More
25m 56s
Jan 2016
Why are no two snowflakes the same?
In this episode, Dr. Ken Libbrecht answers all of our snowflake questions: How are snowflakes made? Why are they different shapes? How is it that they’re all unique? And how does a scientist who lives in southern California study snow? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info ... Show More
13m 2s
Jan 2022
The Snow Show: Making Snowflakes with Peter Veals and Twila Moon
<p>How do you make snow? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn some cold, hard facts about snow and ice with atmospheric scientist and snow maker Peter Veals, PhD and glacial scientist Twila Moon, PhD. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2022
Chilling out with snow
There are many different types of snow. From the fluffy to the slushy, this slippery frozen stuff comes in all different shapes and sizes. From a distance, snowflakes may all look the same, but they are not. In fact, there are lots of different shapes of snowflakes — not just tho ... Show More
31m 51s
Jan 2023
Slippery Science: The Physics of Ice
<p>What makes ice slippery? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly uncover the complex physics of ice and cool facts we’re still learning about it with physicist and author, Laurie Winkless. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode c ... Show More
52m 35s
May 2018
What Is Red Snow?
Snow usually appears white, but it can come in a few other colors -- and in the case of red snow, that vibrant color may be a warning from Mother Nature. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudi ... Show More
6m 7s
Feb 2024
Strange Ice, Part 2
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss a handful of novel ice formations and how scientists believe they form -- as well as some other STBYM angles on ice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
44m 35s