For many of us, snow has a long history of being an addictive drug. In reality, we are "snow users." We go great distances to be with it; we spend a lot of money on getting it; we indulge in it shamelessly; and many of us are obviously hooked on it. Given all the characteristics of snow we have in common, we ought to be more knowledgeable about it.
1 - There are numerous words suitable for it.
The claim that the Inuit have 50 words for snow has both been discredited as mere speculation and proven to be roughly true. However many they may have, it is nothing compared to the Scots. According to researchers at the University of Glasgow, the Scots language has 421 words for snow, including "unbrak," meaning the beginning of a thaw, "spitters," meaning small drops of driving snow, and "skelf," which means huge snowflakes.
2 - Monkeys enjoy it.
Remember that we are not the only mammals who love a good snowball fight. Snow monkeys, also known as Japanese macaques, have been seen creating and interacting with snowballs. Young macaques seem to like taking snowballs from one another and squabbling to get them back.
3 - Snow isn't pure white.
Mind blown Even if it isn't quite true, you can still have a white Christmas night. Any knowledgeable expert on snow will inform you that the "white stuff" is actually transparent rather than white. It appears white because of the light reflecting off of it. The snowflake's numerous sides disperse light in all directions, dispersing the full color spectrum. Additionally, snow can take on a broad range of stunning tints. It can turn black, orange, or blue because of pollution, dust, or freshwater algae that like the cold (cryophilic).
4 - You should avoid getting too much snow.
Spend too much time skiing or snowboarding, and you could develop piblokto, often known as "Arctic hysteria," a condition that affects Inuit people who live in the Arctic Circle. The condition might manifest as meaningless verbal repetition or the commission of reckless or unreasonable acts, followed by forgetfulness of the incident. One cause of the ailment is believed to be vitamin A poisoning, but in recent years, scientists have questioned whether the illness—which is believed to be based on as few as eight cases—actually exists at all.
5 - Warmth from snow.
5 - Warmth from snow.
Snow is an excellent insulator because it contains 90 to 95 percent trapped air. For the purpose of hibernating, several animals dig deep tunnels in the snow throughout the winter. It's also the cause of igloos' ability to be 100 degrees warmer inside than outside despite solely using body heat for heating.
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6 - Snowflakes vary widely from one another.
Each snowflake travels down to the ground along a slightly distinct path, exposing it to slightly variable atmospheric conditions. According to the National Weather Service, each flake consequently has its own appearance, resembling everything from prisms and needles to the well-known lacy pattern.
7 - A snowflake travels to the surface in about one hour.
7 - A snowflake travels to the surface in about one hour.
According to the UK's Met Office, the majority of snowflakes fall at velocities between 1 and 4 mph, though this varies depending on the size, mass, and environmental factors of each individual snowflake. The largest, heaviest snowflakes can travel at speeds of up to 9 mph, but the average flake travels at a rate of about 1.5 mph and takes an hour to reach the ground.
8 - In the snow, you must put on sunglasses!
8 - In the snow, you must put on sunglasses!
Summertime warmth is commonly associated with sunglasses. However, snow has the capacity to reflect a significant amount of UV light! If you don't have eye protection, this can burn your eyes and lead to snow blindness.
9 - Snow can be dangerous.
9 - Snow can be dangerous.
It even has its own name: chionophobia. Chionophobia, or a fear of snow, is a psychological disorder that is unquestionably real. It gets its name from the Greek word for snow, "chion." There are more illogical forms of the phenomenon, when people develop a severe fear of being trapped or buried in snow if there isn't a flake in sight or at the slightest sign of a flutter. While the phenomenon can develop owing to childhood trauma involving a snowy accident.
10 - Snow affects sounds.
10 - Snow affects sounds.
Everything appears to be quieter and hushed due to the ability of newly fallen snow to absorb sound waves. However, ice can reflect sound waves, allowing sound to travel farther and with greater clarity if the snow then melts and refreezes.