👉 The snow fluid, also known as the snowplow effect or the albedo feedback mechanism, describes a process where fresh snow reflects a significant portion of incoming solar radiation back into space due to its high albedo, or reflectivity. This reflection reduces the amount of heat absorbed by the Earth's surface, keeping the area cooler. However, as snow melts and dark surfaces like soil or vegetation become exposed, their lower albedo causes them to absorb more solar radiation, leading to further warming and melting. This creates a positive feedback loop: more snow melts, exposing darker surfaces that absorb more heat, which in turn causes more snow to melt. This process is crucial in understanding climate dynamics and the impact of changing snow cover on global temperatures.
