Weather Whys: Why is snow white?

 

Our Weather Whys question today is something many of us have probably never thought about. Ashley asks, "Why is snow white?". We know what makes snow yellow... but why does our 'regular' snow look white. 

First we have to understand how color works in general. When you think of the colors of a rainbow, ROYGBIV, the color we are seeing are actually what is being reflect back to our eyes by whatever the material is. A snowflake is ice so when you take one single snowflake and look at it under a microscope it is clear. But when all those millions of snowflakes pile up you get lots of air pockets between them. Light reflects moves through the air pockets and reflects the full color spectrum ROYGBIV making snow look white.

Weather Whys is a segment by Meteorologist Justin Thompson-Gee that airs during the CBS 58 News on WMLW - The M from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The segment answers viewer weather questions, explains weather phenomena and reveals interesting weather stats. To submit your question reach out to Justin on Facebook, Twitter or by emailing him at JThompson-Gee@cbs58.com.