snow metamorphism

Snow metamorphism refers to the physical changes that snow undergoes over time, as individual snow crystals transform due to temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions. These processes cause the crystals to bond together, grow larger, or change shape, affecting the snow’s density and stability. Metamorphism occurs in stages—initially, snow is light and fluffy, but as it sits, it becomes more compact and dense, forming features like ice layers. These changes influence snow strength, permeability, and erosional patterns, impacting natural phenomena like avalanches and snowpack stability, and are essential for understanding snow behavior in climate studies and winter safety.