Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Hoar Frost


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Hoar Frost A deposit of interlocking crystals formed by direct sublimation on objects, usually those of small diameter freely exposed to the air, such as tree branches, plants, wires, poles, etc. The deposition of hoar frost is similar to the process by which dew is formed, except that the temperature of the frosted object must be below freezing. It forms when air with a dew point below freezing is brought to saturation by cooling.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration