HOW TO CATCH YOUR OWN SNOWFLAKE

Prepare by gathering a magnifying glass and a piece of dark cardboard ready for the next time it snows. The board should be about the size of a book and stiff enough to stay flat when you hold it by one edge.

When it snows, put the cardboard outside for at least ten minutes before catching snow – it needs to be cold and dry or the flakes will quickly melt after landing.

Gripping the board by one edge, hold it out flat and watch as the snow lands on it. If it is snowing hard, step under a porch or some other shelter so that less falls on the board – otherwise it will soon fill up.

Look at the smaller bits of snow that land. This is where you will find the individual crystals. Place the board under a magnifying glass to take a closer look at them.

Shake off the board and try again. In the right kind of snowstorm, you should be able to collect many individual crystals and see the numerous variations in shape and size.