๐ Planet Earth โ๏ธ Weather and climate
Frost
๐ In short
Frost is a thin, shiny white layer of ice crystals that covers grass, windows and cars on very cold mornings. It looks as if the ground has been sprinkled with icing sugar!
๐คฉ Did you know?
- Frost forms when the temperature drops below zero degrees.
- Frost melts quickly when the sun comes up.
- Frost and dew form in almost the same way, but frost forms in bitter cold.
- Some plants can handle frost, like cabbage and spinach.
๐ Find out more
๐ How does it form?
On clear, very cold nights, things near the ground cool down a lot, so water vapor in the air turns straight into tiny ice crystals on them, without becoming water first.
๐ Patterns on windows
Frost draws beautiful patterns on window glass that look like feathers and fern leaves, because the crystals grow and branch out on the glass.
๐ก Frost and farmers
Frost is dangerous for tender plants, flowers and small fruits, because it freezes the water inside them so they wilt. That's why farmers cover their plants on cold nights.
๐ฏ Why clear nights?
Clouds act like a blanket that keeps the ground warm at night. If the sky is clear with no clouds, the ground loses its heat fast, and frost forms.
๐ธ More pictures
๐งฉ Test yourself
1 When does frost usually form?
2 Why does frost harm tender plants?
3 Which picture shows โFrostโ?
