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Here’s Why Snow Looks White When It’s Actually Not (Yes, You Read That Right!)

There’s nothing like waking up to see freshly fallen snow blanketing the landscape. Everything is quiet and still. And—at least before the car tracks and footprints spoil the picture—the word seems sparkling white. We can all agree that the snow is white, right?

That may be the consensus, but it’s not accurate. That’s right: Snow isn’t actually white. But what color is it? We spoke to Matt Sitkowski, PhD, a meteorologist and the science editor-in-chief of the Weather Channel, to find out what color snow really is, why it looks white and what kind of science magic is going on here.

Get this: There’s a perfectly logical and scientific explanation for the weird winter phenomenon. Read on to find out the truth.

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Wait, snow isn’t really white?

Surprise! That snow-covered town may look like it’s blanketed in white powder, but technically, it’s not. That’s because snow is actually ice, which is clear. Sure, we may think of snow and ice as two separate types of winter precipitation, but ultimately, that’s not the case.

“Snow typically forms in clouds when water vapor freezes into a crystallization of ice,” Sitkowski explains. “When air temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water vapor condenses into ice and begins to move through the atmosphere. Slowly descending, it collects additional water vapor, which freezes on contact, allowing a snow crystal to form.”

Why does snow appear to be white?

Even though snow may officially be clear, there’s a reason why it looks white to us. “A single snowflake is translucent, but when light hits several tiny, complex snow crystals, light is scattered and reflected by all wavelengths of visible light, making it appear white,” Sitkowski says.

Think of it this way: A blue chair absorbs all colors except blue and reflects blue for people to see. Snow reflects all colors, and together, the colors appear white.

So why does ice look clear and snow look white? “The difference between ice cubes and snowflakes is how light reacts with them,” Jonathan Belles, a senior digital meteorologist for the Weather Channel app, told Popular Science. “Sometimes with an ice cube, the light will be able to go straight through it. But with snow, we’ve got this kind of broken mirror effect, with light bouncing off of all of those jagged edges.”

Can snow appear other colors?

Yes, snow can appear to be colors other than white. In fact, it can pretty much look like it’s any hue, depending on the circumstance. Here are a few examples of what causes snow to be other colors:

  • Pink or green snow: Also known as watermelon snow, green or pink snow is caused by the growth of a type of algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis.
  • Blue snow: Other types of algae or large amounts of snow in a shadowed location may make it appear blue.
  • Yellow snow: Algae is one cause of yellow snow, and you no doubt know the other: urine. (Hey, a dog’s got to go!)
  • Red, orange or brown snow: These hues can be caused by the presence of dust, rust, sand or pollutants in the air.
  • Black or gray snow: A familiar sight not long after a snowstorm, black or gray snow comes from soot or petroleum-based contaminants.

In addition to algae and other contaminants, factors like sunlight and clouds can affect how we perceive the snow. “Snow can also look blue or have a pinkish hue depending on how the sunlight and shadows hit the snow,” Sitkowski explains. “Soot, ash, dust can collect on snow and make it darker with a dirty appearance.”

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About the expert

  • Matt Sitkowski, PhD, is a meteorologist and the science editor-in-chief of the Weather Channel. He received a PhD in atmospheric science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has published peer-reviewed articles related to weather phenomena.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

Snow Day Superstitions Kids Believe

Lesser-Known Weather Terms to Know

Weather Myths That Are Dangerous

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