Anyone growing up around snow knows this, but some
folks from warmer areas might not realize how much
difference there can be in the nature of the snow from
different storms. Temperature plays a big role.
When it's bitter cold, snow is dry and powdery---tiny
crystals, like dust. At higher temperatures, closer to
the freezing point, crystals get larger and heavier.
Flakes clump together to make better snowballs and
snowmen...and much heavier work for shoveling sidewalks
and roads. This was a very fluffy snow with lovely big flakes.
Everything the snow covered looked as if it needed a
hair cut...or at least a good brushing. Such snow dampens
sound best, too. Total silence.