Snowflake - Fernlike Dendrites

Snowflakes are luminous crystals of pure ice, clear and colorless. Water vapor freezes directly into ice crystals when clouds are very cold. Many crystals join together and float down as a snowflake. One snowflake can have over 100 crystals. Individual crystals falling on their own are too tiny to see. Snow looks sparkly and white because light reflects off all the surfaces of the ice crystals and blends together.

The air temperature determines the shape of a snowflake, each with its own unique design. Snowflakes have six sides (and sometimes 12) because water molecules line up in this repeating pattern when they freeze. They can form as stars, hollow columns, plates with flat sides or other types. Starting out as hexagons, they may sprout branches as they grow. Fernlike dendrites (or fernlike stellar dendrites) have narrow branches that look like tiny ferns. With their exceptionally large size and large thin plates, they are common and easy to spot. Fernlike dendrites are the largest snowflakes, some even measuring 0.4 inches (10mm). They form rapidly when the humidity is high and temperature is very low, about 5 degrees F (-15 degrees C).

Snowflakes are especially dazzling when you take a very close look. To see their beauty, catch them in the air or as they land. Walking across snow you hear the snap and pop as you break the crystals and trapped air escapes from inside.

Product Size: 7" x 7" x 2.5"

Thunderheads are sewn and crafted using recycled fibers that meet Global Recycling Standards. There are no plastic parts, only high-quality soft fabrics and embroidered eyes and details. The attached educational cards are printed from recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. 

Thunderheads meet and surpass all US safety standards. Regular size Thunderheads are appropriate and safe for all ages. Key chain size Thunderheads are only for age 3 and up. 

Hand wash only using a damp cloth and warm water.  Air dry.  We do not recommend cleaning in a washing machine or drying in a drier.  Check all labels upon arrival of purchase. 

From this website, we deliver within the United States.  We ship orders within 1–2 business days once they are received. Please see the link at page bottom for international orders. We're confident that you'll love your Thunderheads purchase, but if you need to make a return for any reason, we accept returns within 14 days of your purchase date. Please note, we only accept items in their original condition with the tags still attached. See the page bottom for further details.