Short Wave
The Dubious World's Largest Snowflake Record
Jan 3, 2025
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR reporter, dives into the fascinating world of snowflakes and the dubious record of the largest one ever recorded. She discusses the 15-inch snowflake claimed from 1887 and the skepticism surrounding it. A physicist investigates the science behind snowflake formation, exploring what truly defines a snowflake. With personal anecdotes, they unravel the uniqueness of giant snowflakes and celebrate the wonder and joy they bring during winter.
11:00
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast challenges the credibility of the 15-inch snowflake record, highlighting scientific skepticism and the true nature of snowflake formation.
- Snowflakes can vary significantly in size and complexity, with experts advocating for a clearer distinction between individual snow crystals and aggregates.
Deep dives
Longest Time in Snow and Record-Breaking Snowflakes
The podcast highlights several astonishing snow-related records compiled by Guinness World Records, including the longest time spent in full body contact with snow, which stands at 105 minutes and two seconds. It also mentions an impressive gathering in North Dakota where 8,962 people made snow angels simultaneously. Another intriguing record is of a snowflake reportedly measuring 15 inches in diameter, an extraordinary claim that sparked scientific inquiry. The discussion transitions to the validity of these records and touches on how snowflakes, in general, can be much smaller and more complex than such records suggest.
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