After a couple weeks of downright chilly temperatures, snow is on its way! I’m glad for a couple of reasons beyond skiing. Snow transforms uncomfortable cold – stark, leafless trees now glistening with ice, brown lawns coated a pristine white, and my northern city is a lovely postcard setting.
I’m amazed how a few inches of fluffy frozen water makes the world outside seem warmer. This is a phenomenon those in northern climates talk about, wishing for snow for its insulating nature. But how can this be true? Is it because we are distracted by the beauty? Am I being fooled by Mother Nature? I needed an answer so I went to the experts – at the National Snow & Ice Data Center.
Before I get into details, I’ll tell you upfront that this is actually possible. Snow can make the outside world feel warmer. For those who live in Minnesota or North Dakota, it’s also very true that snow can chill you to the bone. I live in a fairly moderate northern zone in Idaho. Yes, we get a smattering of snowfall each winter but our temperatures rarely fall below zero at night.
Now for the details. First of all, it’s simple science to know that the temperature has to be freezing – thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit – for water to become a solid, and rain to become snow. But snow can also create its own climate. For instance, if your outside thermometer reads thirty-eight degrees, you can still see snow falling. This is because snow is created high in the atmosphere where it’s colder and as the snowflakes fall, they cool the air immediately surrounding them. The NSIDC says this micro climate effect can occur even up to forty degrees, which is one explanation to feel warmer than expected even as snow coats your eyelashes.
The second reason for feeling warmer on a snowy day is a bit more complicated. By definition moisture has to be present for ice crystals to form. Damp air conducts heat more than dry air – if you’ve ever visited the tropics, you’ve experienced this phenomenon. But when it rains in the winter, even if we wear protective clothing, the fibers in our clothes absorb a bit of the moisture bringing a chill to our skin along with the lower temperatures. When the moisture turns to a solid, the moisture is removed from the air and our clothes can insulate us better. In this respect, we are fooled to believe that a snowy day is warmer than a rainy day.
Of course, there’s a point where it’s just darned cold outside! The best solution of all: Get that fireplace going and curl up with a good book.
Happy holidays!
About the author:
Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime mystery series and Spirited Quest paranormal mystery series, as well as The Three Widows of Wylder. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and editor of the Potato Soup Journal. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.
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