Snow falling at 50 degrees Fahrenheit?!?!?

Question

Doesn't this beat a record of some sort? The highest temperature at which snow has been observed?

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/forecast/24_hour_conditions_e.html?yyl&unit=m

Answer 1

must be... never heard of anything like that in my life

Answer 2

Such a situation like this is not impossible. Its very rare, but not impossible. If freezing cold air is in place at cloud level and most of the way down towards the surface, then it will occur. Chances are a warm front moved in and lifted the cold air upwards. Snow formation occurred, and fell even though the air temperature near the surface was warm.

Answer 3

Completely not normal  - and I live in Michigan and we get a lot of snow!

Answer 4

Yes, that's high, don't know about a record; the highest I've seen around the Philly (PA) area over many years is perhaps 43-44 degrees.

But note the very low dew point (/humidity), that's key - the falling snowflakes from the clouds undergo evaporative cooling as they fall thru the dry air, maintaining their cool.