If you've ever been out in the snow and wondered why everything seems so much quieter, wonder no more!

Snow is enjoyed by many for a number of different winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking or photography, but whatever your activity, there is one thing that all users will notice when there is decent snow on the ground. Snow transforms landscapes into winter wonderlands, but it does more than just change the visuals.

If you've ever been anywhere after fresh snowfall, you may have noticed things seemed quieter than usual. The age and different characteristics of snow can affect how sound waves travel, with fresh snow acting to dampen them. It acts like modern acoustic tiles, absorbing sound and leading to quieter surroundings. The deeper the snow, the greater the absorption of sound.

As snow changes over time, becoming more compacted, smoother and harder, so does the way it affects sound. As it becomes harder and more densely packed, its ability to absorb sound is reduced. Instead, the harder surface helps to reflect sound, making them seem clearer.

Fig. 1: A frontal system crossing the southeast next week as shown by ECMWF 850hPa temperature

Most ski resorts have a healthy amount of snow at the moment, with around 130cm at Thredbo and Perisher in the NSW, more than this time last year, and more than some resorts in New Zealand. As we mentioned here: https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/good-snow-depth-not-such-great-conditions/1386643, snow conditions aren't ideal at the moment, with the snow base on the hard side, meaning its sound dampening effects are reduced.

Whilst the forecast for the next few days is looking a little light on snow, there is good news on the horizon, with a frontal system moving across the southeast towards the end of next week (Fig 1). This front is a much more promising prospect, with 15-30cm possible over Alpine resorts into next weekend.

If you're lucky enough to be up in the snow after these fresh falls, see how quiet it sounds when you’re up on the slopes away from the crowds.