Air snow

For lack of a better term, I love air snow. These are fine little flakes that literally crystallize out the air on very cold days that are just beginning to have an increase in humidity. There are no clouds in the sky, but it appears to be snowing due to this crystallization. Sometimes it seems merely to be blowing off the trees, but closer observation reveals it is air snow.

We had a white Christmas at my parents' house. Such glory! It was only about 5 degrees, so the snow was fluffy, still, and unblemished. My dad and I walked for a while in the silence, feeling the slight constriction of our throats upon inhalation, and watching the effervescent clouds of exhalation. Snow and air, air and snow.