If I scatter soot or some other dark powder on the ice and snow covering my driveway, will it thaw appreciably faster?

Whilst walking in the snow i noticed that around electricy pylons the snow had formed a spiky texture similar to that of some cystal structures, all pointing in the direction of the pylons. Is this to do with magnetic attraction of the polar water molecules or something more comlex than my simple chemsitry can explain?

Thanks

Changing as few as possible of the laws of physics, what would be the effect on life on earth - particularly human life - if there was no such thing as snow?

Trying to build a snowman with my kids this weekend, we encountered an issue I've seen a few times now, where the snow is all powdery and won't actually stick together. Consequently we were unable to gather enough together to make a snowman. What weather conditions cause this?

I have heard that the very cold temperatures we are experiecing can cause diesel to freeze. I heard that the temperature is around -12 degrees, is this true?

I have thought of this question as this can effect everybody.

We were at altitude 2674m on a mountain ridge when we noticed that the pole with indication signs for the trails was vibrating. The same was with the digital camera and the hiking poles. We understood that there was electricity in the air. However, the happening was strange because though the sky was covered, it was snowing, and not heavily. Besides, there were no lightnings, but we could hear from time to time thunders. I was wondering if there was any chance of being struck and also, if possessing metal objects might increase the chances.

These photos were taken in my parent's garden, Gloucestershire, during the snowy weather in January earlier this year.

The first photo shows the footprints starting near to the back door of their house, the second shows them making their way past the side of the house in a very straight line and the final photo shows them simply stopping.

We're still all very puzzled and wondered if anyone had any theories or ideas?

When scientists say no snowflake is the same as another and they are all different how did they find this out? What makes them think out of the trillions and trillions of snowflakes that have fallen two aren't the same and how have they proved this?