why is it generally warmer when it snows?

Answer 1

It's because condensation (the change of water vapor in the air into water/ice crystals in snow) is a warming process -- heat is _released_ when water changes from a vapor or gas to a liquid to a solid. Further, when it snows during the evening, heat that is radiating from the earth is trapped in by the clouds, rather than being allowed to escape (which is why cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights, especially in the winter). Finally, precipitation usually occurs when two air masses of different temperatures collide. When cold air comes into contact with warm air, the amount of moisture that the warm air can hold is decreased, and is thus released as precipitation. When you're under a big blanket of very cold arctic air, there is already a big lack of moisture in the air, so there's nothing to preciptate out.

That's why it's warmer when it snows (compared to those frigid cold, clear days).

Answer 2

The clouds in the sky generally release moisture when a warm front hits a cold front. The warm front brings warmer temperatures but in the winter the temperature is not warm enough and the fact that the snow is falling through the air kind of like a fan blowing on your body effect keeps it snow and in the summer same thing happens for rain. A warm front hits a cold front or vice versa and it creates conditions for moisture release, only its not cold enough to be snow so it is water. Yeah I'm good!

Answer 3

Snowing does not cause the warmth, the relative warmth causes the snow.

During very cold weather the capacity of the air to contain moisture is greatly reduced. What water vapor remains is deposited as frost. At the same time, evaporation is reduced and therefore air humidity remains low. In these conditions snow cannot form.

Warmer air can hold more moisture before saturation point is reached and the water vapor begins to condense out. So when warmer air moves into cooler areas, not only do we feel the increase in temperature, but the excess vapor precipitates as snow.

Answer 4

It feels that way because most snow falls when the wind is generally calm which makes a lazy & gentel snow fall seem to be warm.

Answer 5

Well when water freezes into snow, it undergoes an exothermic change, which means some of the thermal energy that is in it goes out to its surroundings

Answer 6

it is not generally warmer when it snows because if it snows where you live, your farther away from the equator!

Answer 7

The greenhouse effect of clouds. That's why it's cooler on clear days.

Answer 8

becuase the water in the air causes the air to become less dry

Answer 9

cold air cant hold as much moister as warm air that's why it don't snow as often when its cold out

Answer 10

it isn't