Why are snowflakes symmetrical and hexagonal?

The ice crystals that make up snowflakes are symmetrical (or patterned) because they reflect the internal order of the crystal’s water molecules as they arrange themselves in predetermined spaces (known as “crystallization”) to form a six-sided snowflake. read more

Snowflakes are symmetrical because they reflect the internal order of the water molecules as they arrange themselves in the solid state (the process of crystallization). Water molecules in the solid state, such as in ice and snow, form weak bonds (called hydrogen bonds) to one another. read more

That hexagonal shape sets the basic crystalline structure and sheer planes, so that as crystals grow to macroscopic size they tend to replicate that basic six-sided crystalline structure. These can be simple hexagonal plates, long hexagonal needles, or fractal-like flakes depending on the air temperature and humidity. read more