Windy weather Radar adds Snowflake Feature, Explains Why It Doesn’t Snow in Summer
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A new feature on the Windy weather radar now distinguishes between rain and snow, while a deeper look into atmospheric conditions reveals why summer snow remains a rarity.
The frequently enough-elusive line between rain and snow is becoming clearer thanks to an update to the Windy weather radar. The enhanced radar now displays snowflake symbols over areas experiencing snowfall, providing a more intuitive understanding of precipitation type. Currently, snowfall is widespread across the Czech Republic, while a contrasting pattern is visible in Hungary, where rain – or more accurately, drizzling – is falling in the southern regions. According to a company release, this new layer is permanently fixed within the Windy radar system, though some users have noted it can slightly affect the contrast of underlying layers. The updated radar is available both on the Windy website and within its mobile application.
Understanding Precipitation Formation
The formation of snow begins with ice crystals created in the atmosphere through a process called desublimation,where water vapor transforms directly into ice. These crystals then fall to earth as snowflakes when temperatures are sufficiently cold. But what determines whether precipitation reaches the ground as snow or rain?
Most precipitation in temperate latitudes originates in the upper troposphere, typically between 3,000 and 6,000 meters above sea level. At these altitudes, temperatures are frequently below freezing, resulting in the presence of both ice crystals and supercooled water droplets within clouds. However, the precipitation we experience as rain doesn’t fully form until later in the process.
The Role of Warm Air Layers
As snowflakes or ice crystals descend, they encounter varying temperature layers. When these flakes pass through a layer with temperatures above 0°C (32°F), they melt and become raindrops. A senior official stated, “The presence of this warm air layer is crucial in determining precipitation type.” During the summer months, this warm layer is typically positioned relatively high above the ground.
Interestingly, if this warm layer were absent, precipitation would fall as snow even during the summer.This highlights the delicate balance of atmospheric conditions that dictate our weather patterns.
For those seeking a precise view of the weather radar, a helpful tip is to position the map to the desired scale and location, then save the URL and parameters as a bookmark. For example, a pre-configured link for Prague and its surrounding areas is readily available.
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Why: The update to the Windy weather radar adds snowflake symbols to visually represent snowfall, improving user understanding of precipitation type. The core reason snow doesn’t fall in summer is the absence of a sufficiently cold temperature profile all the way to the ground; a warm air layer typically melts snowflakes before they reach the surface.
Who: The Windy weather radar company released the update. A senior official provided a quote explaining the role of warm air layers.Users in the Czech Republic are currently experiencing snowfall, while those in Hungary are seeing rain.
What: The update is a new layer on the Windy radar displaying snowflake symbols. The phenomenon explained is why snow is rare in summer.
How did it end?: The update is now permanently fixed within the Windy radar system and available on both the website and mobile app. The clarification of summer snow rarity concludes with the importance of atmospheric balance.
