Each snowflake forms in the Earth's atmosphere when water vapor freezes onto pollen, dust, or volcanic ash depending on the location of formation. Each individual snowflake grows outward in hexagonal patterns. This symmetry occurs due to the shape of water molecules arranging into a crystalline lattice as freezing occurs. The lattice structure bends and scatters light, which explains why snow appear bright and white, and ice is clear. Another interesting fact is that the world around you is different when snow covers the ground like a beautiful blanket, very cold but beautiful. 

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Snow provides a natural soundproof layer, due to snow crystals, instead of reflecting sound. This property of snow removes the sounds of the pace of the world, providing the additional peace and beauty of snow season. Not every habitat on Earth experiences every season. Some have one season, and others have all 4 at various points in the year.  The fascination with snow and its impact on seasonal changes led to research of the seasons and climate, so you can understand how it all works. Seasons are explained by the Earth's orbit around the Sun at the center of our solar system. The Sun appears stationary while the Earth rotates around the sun at tilt of 23.5 degrees. The Sun appears stationary while the Earth rotates around the sun at a tilt of 23.5 degrees. 

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The seasons are determined by the tilt. The sunlight angle changes the amount of solar energy received in different latitudes and longitudes, which influences each region. There are four hemispheres on Earth — the Northern hemisphere, the Southern hemisphere, the Western hemisphere, and the Eastern hemisphere. As a result, the angle of rotation decides the seasons. 

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​​                    Earth Revolving around Sun        Graph Longitude & Latitude

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There are four different regions on the Earth. Each is affected by the rotation of the Earth around the Sun impacting the weather in the region.
 

• Longitude is defined as imaginary vertical lines from the North Pole to the South Pole. The lines of longitude measure how far West or East a location is from the Prime Merdian at 0 degrees longitude.  The longitude range is from the Prime Merdian to 180 degrees East to 180 degrees West.
   

• Latitude is defined as imaginary horizontal lines circling the Earth parallel to the Equator. The latitude lines measure how far Noth or South a location is from the Equator. Latitude range is 0 degrees at the Equator to 90 degrees North Pole and South Pole. 
   

• Equatorial Regions around the equator (0 degrees latitude) have warm climates and humidity year - round with little variation. These regions receive nearly constant direct sunlight because they do not significantly tilt during Earth's orbit Examples: Amazon Rainforest, Congo Basin, and Indonesia.
   

• Polar Regions are located near the North Pole (Arctic) and South Pole (Antarctica). The climate is extremely cold, with dramatic seasonal changes. These areas experience months of darkness in winter due to Earth's axial tilt. The Polar region includes ice sheets, tundra, and unique wildlife that have adapted to extreme conditions. 
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• When the Northern Hemisphere leans toward the sun, the region is experiencing Summer. When it is Summer in the Northern Hemisphere it is Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. 
   

​Every region of our world has different seasonal patterns. Some locations have 4 distinct seasons. Other locations have two seasons — wet and dry. Other locations have one season all year — this diversity does not just affect ecosystems but also cultures.
 

One final part to our learning.​​ ​A Hemisphere is half of a sphere. Geographers divide the Earth's surface into 4 Hemispheres on a map separated by 2 circular routes representing the shortest distances that can be drawn between 2 points on the surface of the sphere, known as longitude and latitude. The Northern Hemisphere is 0 degrees latitude North of the Equator and 67-68% land, including North America, Central America, Europe, a small part of South America, and half of mainland Africa, and Asia.  The Southern Hemisphere lies south of the Equator and contains about 32-33% of Earth's land area including the remaining parts of Africa, most of South America, the Indonesia Archipelago Islands, and Island of New Guinea. 

In closing, I encourage you to connect with the seasons of the year in your location. Connecting and experiencing nature is what keeps us aware of our world. 

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