Cool Facts About Snow: Surprising Things You Never Knew!

1. Snow Isn’t Actually White

Snow only appears white. Individual snow crystals are translucent, but when billions of them pile up, light scatters off the tiny surfaces and edges, creating the white appearance we’re used to.

2. Snow Can Also Be Pink, Orange, Yellow, or Green

While technically colorless, snow may contain dust or algae that give it different colors. Orange snow fell over Siberia in 2007, and pink snow (watermelon snow) covered Krasnodar (Russia) in 2010.

Watermelon snow is common in mountains and has a sweet smell and taste. However, it frequently contains nasty algae that will make you sick, so don’t eat it!

3. A Single Snowstorm Can Hold Tremendous Energy

One major snowstorm can drop 39 million tons of snow—roughly the energy equivalent of 120 atomic bombs (without the danger, thankfully).

4. Do Alaskans Really Have 50 Words for Snow?

We’ve often heard that native Alaskans have many words for “snow,” though linguists have now studied this and question how this is decided (getting into details such as “root words” and definitions of “snow” versus snow-like words). It seems to be a hot debate! 

Bottom line, we do know that the indigenous peoples (Inupiaq) do have an extensive vocabulary for snow and ice, which isn’t surprising given their year-round natural environment! 

The native Alaskans should get together with snowboarders. Skiers are always using different words, such as “pow pow,” “mashed potatoes,” “champagne snow (powder),” “cauliflower,” “sticky snow,” “dust on crust” to describe the snow.

5. The Largest Snowflakes Ever Recorded Were Enormous

Snowflakes can get huge! According to Guinness World Records, the largest snowflakes on record were 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter and 8 inches thick. They fell on Fort Keogh, in eastern Montana, on 28 January 1887. Nearby ranchers described the flakes as “larger than mild pans” and measured them; “8 inches thick”.

6. Fear of Snow Is Real

“Fear of Snow” is a thing. It’s called “chionophobia,” which comes from ‘chion,’ the Greek word for snow. In case you’re wondering what’s so scary, imagine being caught in an avalanche or buried under snow; for some people, it’s similar to the fear of water.

7. Snow Is Mostly Air—About 90%

About 90% of snow is air. Snow is a great insulator and keeps us warm. Snow is almost all air, so it’s used for hibernation by many animals. Did you know igloos can be 100 degrees warmer inside? If you’re ever stuck in the snow, build a snow cave!

8. Snow Helps the Garden

Snow is good for the garden. Think of snow as nature’s mulch. provides needed moisture as well as nutrients.  Nitrogen attaches to snowflakes as the snow falls through the atmosphere. That’s why The Old Farmer’s Almanac calls snow a “poor man’s fertilizer.”  Learn more about the benefits of snow.

9. Snowflakes Don’t Always Fall Slowly

While flakes often appear to drift down gently, they can fall up to 9 mph in the right conditions.

10. Are No Two Snowflakes Alike?

In nature, the likelihood of two identical snowflakes forming is extremely small. Each one follows a unique path through the atmosphere, building different patterns and shapes. Learn more about snowflake shapes.

Whether you love snow for skiing or dread shoveling it, winter’s icy masterpiece is full of fascinating science and strange surprises. The next time flakes start falling, you’ll be able to see them in an entirely new way. Check out our winter forecast to see what is headed your way!