The pronounced negative bias of Earth's atmosphere contributes to the formation of snowflakes. Typically. beginning with the six corner points of an initial ice crystal, those points constitute a symmetrical pattern of negative ion concentrations that beckon to relatively positive atmosphere to draw flow of moist air upon the central hub of the crystal.
As natural electrical phenomena equalize distribution of moisture and electrons from the hub, primarily to the six vertexes, extreme ion density is developed upon tips of condensed moisture that are drawn to fine points by electrostatic repulsion. Those pointed strands remain liquid until further condensation covers them, thereby lifting away the ionic congestion that prevents solidification, and so the snowflake grows.
Those sharp tips on snowflakes encourage corona discharge to such extent that lightning is rarely encountered within a snowfall.
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