
Snow’s hidden superpowers: More than meets the eye
Snow is more than just a pretty blanket over the landscape––it’s a phenomenon packed with surprising abilities.
Canadians often grumble at the sight of endless snow in the winter. But I’m here to tell you about the numerous and often overlooked superpowers of the trillion-tonne pile that falls on Canada every year.
Snow is more than just a pretty blanket over the landscape—it’s a phenomenon packed with surprising abilities.
DON'T MISS: Arctic air onslaught coming to a Canadian city near you
From shaping ecosystems to influencing our climate system, here are five of snow’s most incredible abilities, plus a couple of bonus ones that might truly surprise you.
Sound muffling
Ever notice how quiet it gets after a snowfall? Take a walk after a snowstorm, and you’ll hear a stark difference.
Snow absorbs sound waves with its porous structure, creating a peaceful stillness that feels almost magical. This acoustic dampening is why freshly fallen snow has that calming appeal––it directly influences our senses and the way we experience the world around us.

Camouflage
For animals like Arctic foxes and snowshoe hares, snow becomes the ultimate survival tool. The white expanse provides vital cover from predators during harsh winters.
This camouflage is key to their adaptation in some of Canada’s most rugged landscapes.

Snowy owl. (Annie-Marie Gionet-Lavoie/Submitted to The Weather Network)
The famous snowy owl also boasts a beautiful white plumage that blends seamlessly into the fresh Canadian, snowy tundra, helping it avoid detection by predators. Even other species of birds and even polar bear cubs use camouflage to make it difficult for prey to spot them.
Insulation
Beneath a thick snowpack, temperatures remain surprisingly stable. But it also presents a hidden danger for ice safety.
Snow acts as a natural blanket, protecting the ground, plants, and even animals from extreme cold. A thick layer of snow traps air within the snowpack, creating a thermal barrier. This protects plants from frost damage and provides a haven for small mammals like voles, which dig intricate tunnels in the snow to stay warm and safe.
Light reflection (albedo effect)
Have you ever noticed how bright the sky gets after a snowfall?

Snow’s bright, reflective surface bounces sunlight, including artificial light sources, back into space, helping regulate Earth’s climate. This cooling effect plays a crucial role in slowing global warming, highlighting the importance of maintaining snowy regions like the Arctic and Canadian tundra.

(NASA)
Structural strength
If you’ve ever constructed a snowman or a snow fort, you know how snow can function as a surprisingly sophisticated building material.
Packed snow is remarkably strong, supporting igloos, northern transportation, and other creative feats. Indigenous communities have long used snow’s durability to survive in extreme conditions, demonstrating its role in human innovation.
Bonus: Reduced friction and air purification
Snow reduces friction, making sleds, skis, and snowmobiles glide effortlessly––revolutionizing transportation in snowy regions. And, let’s be honest, it’s pretty darn fun, too.
Of course, there’s a downside, so winter tires are highly recommended for the slippery effects of snow.

Snow also acts as nature’s air purifier, pulling pollutants and dust out of the atmosphere as it falls, leaving behind improved air quality. The reason snow can be more effective than rain for scrubbing the air includes its larger surface area and slower descent. Winter conditions are often associated with poorer air quality and temperature inversions.
Next time you step into a snowy wonderland, remember this: You’re walking on one of the most versatile substances on Earth.
Thumbnail courtesy of Unsplash.