Paper Snowflake's Family Tree Chart Designed by Japanese Scientists Magono and Lee

Magono & Lee Classification of Snow Crystals Page 1

Magono and Lee Developed their Comprehensive Snow Crystal Chart in 1966

These two snow scientists conducted extensive field work on weather conditions, moisture, temperature, etc., that affect snow crystal formation.

Their article "Meteorological Classification of Natural Snow Crystals," appeared in the Journal of the Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.

Magono & Lee classification of snow crystals includes 80 different snow crystal types arranged into a comprehensive scheme that provides a numbering and lettering system to categorized snow crystals according to shape and structure.

• Magono and Lee Classification this government educational site provides photographs of crystals to match each classification symbol. Very cool!
• Ken Libbrecht's Snowflake Classifications
• More historic research of ice, snow and snowflake patterns

Mom and Dad
Learn more about Snowflake by visiting Snowflake's birthplace in Snowdonia!

N1a Elementary needle

C1f Hollow column
Many snowfalls contain mostly columnar crystals. The columns are hexagonal, and often form with hollowed out cones-like indentations at each end.

P2b Stellar crystal with sectorlike ends

N1b Bundle of elementary needles

C1g Solid thick plate

Sources:

• National Weather Service
• National Snow and Ice Data Center
• Kenneth Libbrecht's "Snowflakes"