Snøen

Snøen (the snow) is the solid precipitation formed when atmospheric water vapor freezes into ice crystals. It occurs when air temperatures are at or below freezing and there is sufficient humidity. Snow consists of individual ice crystals, often forming snowflakes, whose shapes vary with temperature and moisture conditions. Once snow falls to the ground, it can accumulate and create a snow cover that persists for days to months in suitable conditions.

The structure and properties of snow change with age and weather. Freshly fallen snow is typically light and loose, but it can become dense and compact through compression and metamorphism as it is exposed to temperature gradients, wind, and stress. Snow can also form crusts, layers of varying density, or melt-refreeze cycles that produce unstable slabs. Wet snow is heavier and more cohesive, while dry, powdery snow tends to be more mobile and wind-affected. The physical characteristics of a snowpack influence both stability and drainage.

Snow cover plays a crucial role in climate, hydrology, and ecosystems. It reflects a large portion of solar radiation, contributing to the surface energy balance, and insulates the ground, affecting soil temperature and permafrost in some regions. In terms of water resources, snow acts as a natural reservoir, storing freshwater and releasing it gradually during melt.

In a changing climate, snow cover is increasingly variable and often shorter in duration. Changes in snowfall patterns, snowpack stability, and melt timing have implications for rivers, habitats, and winter activities.