Colorado State University climatologist and snow expert (and former Illinoisan) Nolan Doesken has written that, “When the ground has a thick layer of fresh, fluffy snow, sound waves are readily absorbed at the surface of the snow. However, the snow surface can become smooth and hard as it ages or if there have been strong winds. Then the snow surface will actually help reflect sound waves. Sounds may seem clearer and travel farther under those circumstances.”

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