Ice prisms

Alternative definitions (4), class: vernacular (0)
Term: Ice prisms
Definition: A fall of unbranched ice crystals, in the form of needles, columns, or plates, often so tiny that they seem to be suspended in the air; these are visible mainly when they glitter in the sunshine (diamond dust); they may then produce a luminous pillar or other halo phenomena; this hydrometeor, which is frequent in polar regions, occurs at very low temperatures and in stable air masses.  NSIDCCryosphere 

Unbranched prismatic ice crystals, in the form of needles, columns or plates, often so tiny that they seem to be suspended in the air. These crystals may fall from a cloud or from a cloudless sky.  WMOMeteoterm 

Ice crystals having well defined crystalline facets, usually on both basal planes and on prism planes.  AMSglossary 

A fall of unbranched ice crystals, in the form of needles, columns or plates, often so tiny that they seem to be suspended in the air. These crystals may fall from a cloud or from a cloudless sky. They are visible mainly when they glitter in the sunshine (diamond dust); they may then produce a luminous pillar or other halo phenomena. This hydrometeor, which is frequent in polar regions, occurs at very low temperatures and in stable air masses.  SPRI 

 GCW 
Created 2017.06.06
Last Modified 2022.03.08
Contributed by GCW Glossary
Permalink:
https://n2t.net/ark:/99152/h2594