Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
10. Logic would say that snow (or any water form) would tend to be at the temperature...
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 02:29 PM
Jan 2018

of its surroundings, like pretty much any other substance. (One would think Antarctic snow would be pretty damn cold.)

Proving it from the warmth of my living room is something else, though.

This should help:

https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/snow/science/characteristics.html

Snow depth and temperature

The snow surface temperature is controlled by the air temperature above. The colder the air above, the colder the snow layers near the surface will be, especially within the top 30 to 45 centimeters (12 to 18 inches). Snow near the ground in deeper snowpack is warmer because it is close to the warm ground. The ground is relatively warm because the heat stored in the ground over the summer is slow to dissipate. In addition, snow is a good insulator, just like the insulation in the ceiling of a house, and thus slows the flow of heat from the warm ground to the cold air above.
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Weather Watchers»Question about the temper...»Reply #10