Frost vs. Snow — What's the Difference?

Ice patterns seen on surfaces like windows.

Precipitation in the form of ice crystals.

Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a gas) to ice (a solid) as the water vapor reaches the freezing point. In temperate climates, it most commonly appears on surfaces near the ground as fragile white crystals; in cold climates, it occurs in a greater variety of forms.

Frozen water particles that accumulate on the ground.

A deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground or other surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing

Winter phenomenon often associated with festive seasons.

Cover (something) with or as if with frost; freeze

Snow comprises individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere—usually within clouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water throughout its life cycle, starting when, under suitable conditions, the ice crystals form in the atmosphere, increase to millimeter size, precipitate and accumulate on surfaces, then metamorphose in place, and ultimately melt, slide or sublimate away.

Decorate (a cake or biscuit) with icing

Atmospheric water vapour frozen into ice crystals and falling in light white flakes or lying on the ground as a white layer

A deposit of minute ice crystals formed when water vapor condenses at a temperature below freezing.

A mass of flickering white spots on a television or radar screen, caused by interference or a poor signal

A period of weather when such deposits form.

A dessert or other dish resembling snow

A cold manner or period of disaffection

Cocaine.

To cover with frost.

Snow falls

To damage or kill by frost.

Mislead or charm (someone) with elaborate and insincere words

To cover (glass, for example) with a roughened or speckled decorative surface.

Frozen precipitation consisting of hexagonally symmetrical ice crystals that form soft, white flakes.

To cover or decorate with icing

A falling of snow; a snowstorm.

To bleach or lighten the color of (hair) with dye so that some but not all strands are changed in color.

The white specks on a television screen resulting from weak reception.

(Slang) To anger or upset

(Slang) Cocaine.

To become covered with frost

(Slang) Heroin.

A cover of minute ice crystals on objects that are exposed to the air. Frost is formed by the same process as dew, except that the temperature of the frosted object is below freezing.

To fall as or in snow.

The cold weather that causes these ice crystals to form.

To cover, shut off, or close off with snow

(figurative) Coldness or insensibility; severity or rigidity of character.

(Slang) To overwhelm with insincere talk, especially with flattery.

(obsolete) The act of freezing; the congelation of water or other liquid.

(uncountable) The frozen, crystalline state of water that falls as precipitation.

A shade of white, like that of frost.

(uncountable) Any similar frozen form of a gas or liquid.

A disappointment; a cheat.

(countable) A snowfall; a blanket of frozen, crystalline water.

(television) A kind of light diffuser.

(uncountable) A shade of the color white.

(transitive) To cover with frost.

(uncountable) The moving pattern of random dots displayed on a television, etc., when no transmission signal is being received.

(intransitive) To become covered with frost.

Cocaine.

(transitive) To coat (something, e.g. a cake) with icing to resemble frost.

Marine snow

To anger or annoy.

A two-masted, square-rigged vessel, trysail-mast stepped immediately abaft the main mast.

(transitive) To sharpen (the points of a horse's shoe) to prevent it from slipping on ice.

(impersonal) To have snow fall from the sky.

(transitive) To bleach individual strands of hair while leaving adjacent strands untouched.

(colloquial) To hoodwink someone, especially by presenting confusing information.

The act of freezing; - applied chiefly to the congelation of water; congelation of fluids.

(poker) To bluff in draw poker by refusing to draw any cards{{cite-book

The state or temperature of the air which occasions congelation, or the freezing of water; severe cold or freezing weather.

A square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig only in that she has a trysail mast close abaft the mainmast, on which a large trysail is hoisted.

Frozen dew; - called also hoarfrost or white frost.

Watery particles congealed into white or transparent crystals or flakes in the air, and falling to the earth, exhibiting a great variety of very beautiful and perfect forms.

Coldness or insensibility; severity or rigidity of character.

Fig.: Something white like snow, as the white color (argent) in heraldry; something which falls in, or as in, flakes.

To injure by frost; to freeze, as plants.

To fall in or as snow; - chiefly used impersonally; as, it snows; it snowed yesterday.

To cover with hoarfrost; to produce a surface resembling frost upon, as upon cake, metals, or glass; as, glass may be frosted by exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

To scatter like snow; to cover with, or as with, snow.

To roughen or sharpen, as the nail heads or calks of horseshoes, so as to fit them for frosty weather.

Precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

Ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

A layer of snowflakes (white crystals of frozen water) covering the ground

Weather cold enough to cause freezing

English writer of novels about moral dilemmas in academe (1905-1980)

The formation of frost or ice on a surface

Street names for cocaine

United States poet famous for his lyrical poems on country life in New England (1874-1963)

Fall as snow;

Decorate with frosting;

Conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end;

Provide with a rough or speckled surface or appearance;

Fluffy white substance covering landscapes in winter.

Cover with frost;

Weather condition that can lead to various winter sports.

Damage by frost;

Thin layer of ice formed on surfaces from water vapor.

Icy deposition formed on objects in cold conditions.

Indication of cold weather or freezing temperatures.

A damaging cold phenomenon for crops and plants.

No, Frost forms directly on surfaces, while Snow falls from the sky.

Frost commonly appears on cold mornings but can form anytime conditions are right.

Yes, it's possible to have Frost on surfaces with Snow on the ground.

Snow forms from water vapor in clouds freezing into ice crystals, which then fall to the ground.

Snowfall can vary due to factors like ocean temperatures, jet stream patterns, and atmospheric conditions.

Not always, but it can damage or kill sensitive plants.

The temperature and humidity in the cloud influence the shape and size of Snow crystals.

Covering plants, using frost cloths, or watering before a freeze can help prevent Frost damage.

The patterns are due to the way water vapor freezes and crystallizes on the cold surface.

Not necessarily. Snow can fall when temperatures are slightly above freezing at ground level.

Frost can make roads slippery, similar to black ice, and can lead to accidents.

No, the suitability of Snow for winter sports depends on its moisture content and consistency.

Yes, Snow can provide moisture to the soil and insulate plants from extreme cold.

Snow can capture pollutants and particles as it falls, leading to cleaner air after a snowfall.

Yes, when moist air enters a freezer and comes into contact with cold surfaces, it can form Frost.