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Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 10.02.21 - Does snow cool the world by reflecting light?
« on: 29/07/2015 11:41:52 »
Snow being subject to its own limitations only reaches 0 degrees Celcius.
That being said... exposed earth during winter months is exposed to the
atmosphere whch quickly can bring temoeratures of matter other than water
to -30 to -85 degrees Celcius. When the sun is shining in the winter it is
generally alot colder than when it is cloudy because the clouds hold in the
warmer air just as the snow on the ground insulates it from the sub-zero
temperature air. So in contrast to what you might think snow (which always
by rule of thumb falls in greater amounts during warmer winter seasons) is
actually a contributor to global warming. I am from Saskatchewan where we
see some of the coldest temperatures anywhere in the world. The coldest day
every year for the last 20 years has been bright and sunny. As well, the years
with the least snow cover are always the coldest. Arctic high pressure systems
bring the coldest air and low pressure systems bring clouds and snow. So, no,
snow reflecting Sunlight actually doesn't at all cool the Earth. Because no matter
what, under the snow the ground stays close to Zero unless exposed, then it gets
colder.
That being said... exposed earth during winter months is exposed to the
atmosphere whch quickly can bring temoeratures of matter other than water
to -30 to -85 degrees Celcius. When the sun is shining in the winter it is
generally alot colder than when it is cloudy because the clouds hold in the
warmer air just as the snow on the ground insulates it from the sub-zero
temperature air. So in contrast to what you might think snow (which always
by rule of thumb falls in greater amounts during warmer winter seasons) is
actually a contributor to global warming. I am from Saskatchewan where we
see some of the coldest temperatures anywhere in the world. The coldest day
every year for the last 20 years has been bright and sunny. As well, the years
with the least snow cover are always the coldest. Arctic high pressure systems
bring the coldest air and low pressure systems bring clouds and snow. So, no,
snow reflecting Sunlight actually doesn't at all cool the Earth. Because no matter
what, under the snow the ground stays close to Zero unless exposed, then it gets
colder.