When I lived in Indiana this happened every time I drove in the dark while it was snowing. The snow seems to come straight at the windshield sort of like the screensaver: shooting stars. It was very difficult to see.
2006-07-19 14:30:01 · 13 answers · asked by Anne Teak 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Compared to rain, snow falls relatively slow, so it looks like it's coming right at you when you're driving. The headlights make the flakes stand out more.
2006-07-19 14:34:52 · answer #1 · answered by C. C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Certainly the car is speeding into the snow making it appear that the snow has an attitude; but if your high beams are on, the snow reflects a lot of light back at you. Low beams lessen the effect.
Moving to the south where there is no snow works even better! I lived in Southern Cal for 15 years and that never happend once. But I drove through plenty of snow in NH...Brrr.
2006-07-19 15:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by n0witrytobeamused 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The snow is falling down you are moving or driving into the snow. And do not drive with your lights on bright in the snow or fog. It all so helps to watch the lines on the road as close to the front of the car as you can while keeping an eye ahead for taillights or someone driving in your lane.
2006-07-19 15:38:02 · answer #3 · answered by Don K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply your windshield is running into the snow as the snow is falling vertically making it look like the snow is coming at you
horizontally
2006-07-19 14:37:15 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Looks like it however your car is moving horizontally.
The snow may be blowing around but it only seems to move horizontal due to your movement.
Same as a bug hitting your windshield.
The difficulty in seeing is your eyes are trying to focus on the blowing snow and reflecting light and can't do it fast enough.
2006-07-19 14:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by beedaduck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Effectively what is happening is that the car is driving horizontally and when the snow hits the windshield it gives the impression that it is traveling horizontally.
2006-07-19 14:35:42 · answer #6 · answered by Brenmore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In all respect the snow doesnt actually even 'hit' the windshield the air rushing past the car takes the snow with it going over and behond your car...
2006-07-19 14:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is all relative....it is the car that is hitting the snow horizontally.
2006-07-19 14:35:13 · answer #8 · answered by galactic_man_of_leisure 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is an optical illusion. Just watch your next snow fall and see how snow falls down... unless it is windy.
Do you think snow falls down unless it sees a car and then flys into the windsheld to kill itself?
2006-07-19 14:37:39 · answer #9 · answered by the_eliza_red 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just looks that way in the dark when you are driving. Something puzzling.
2006-07-19 14:39:14 · answer #10 · answered by Carol H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋