Why does ice form patterns

Find out how the team at the Environment Agency produces their river flood forecasts, how to stay safe in a flood and what impact climate change will have. Nowhere on Earth is heating faster than the Arctic.

Broadcast meteorologist Laura Tobin visited Svalbard to look at the impacts of climate change, and what it will mean for us. Heavy rain and autumn gales will sweep across the UK this weekend, marking almost a year since the UK experienced its wettest day on record, when enough rainfall fell to fill Loch Ness! These patterns are the result of changes in the surface of the glass; tiny scratches, specks of dust or a faint smear of liquid soap can all affect the way that the crystals form and interlink.

Sam has worked as a forensic scientist as well as for the British government, and has degrees in both archaeology and osteoarchaeology. She has 2 children, is passionate about science, reading, history and music, and loves dyeing her hair bright colours! View all articles by Sam. Your email address will not be published. One other place you can also find fractal patterns in ferns. Next time you see some frost take time to observe its detailed patterns with a magnifying glass.

All you need is a tin can, salt, and ice. Fill the tin with ice and 4 tablespoons of salt and mix it up for a minute. Wait a few minutes and see what forms on the outside of the tin. The salt is important because it melts the ice, while at the same time helping the mixture drop below freezing. Why do you think that might be? You can get help with updating your browser here. Clear nights and plunging temperatures can deposit a thick frost by daybreak.

However, the dreaded winter morning ritual of scraping the frost from your car windscreen can be a pleasant surprise on some occasions.

For frost to form, the temperature of the surface must be below freezing. But what causes pretty, leaf-like patterns to form, as opposed to just a sheet of frost? The patterns are the result of very tiny imperfections in the glass, such as scratches, specks of dust and salt, or the residue from washer fluid.