Book 7, Question 90
Why Does Snow Cover Keep the Ground Insulated?
Snow keeps the ground insulated because fluffy snow traps lots of tiny pockets of air. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so a snow blanket slows heat from escaping the soil. Snow can tuck the ground in for winter!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- Deep snow keeps the ground warmer than the air above it.
- Snow cover protects plants from being killed by winter cold.
- The same insulation can also speed up the thawing of frozen ground called permafrost.
- Snow also chills the air right next to the ground.
- Melting snow provides drinking water and water for farms in many parts of the world.
- Scientists can measure snow depth from airplanes using lasers.
Questions kids ask
Is the ground under snow warmer than the air?
Yes. Deep snow acts like a blanket and keeps the ground warmer than the air above.
How does snow help plants?
It protects them from being killed by winter cold.