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weaselmaster t1_j24gwg5 wrote

Reply to comment by ArtemisIsFoul in TIL Snow is an excellent insulator because it consists of about 90–95 percent trapped air (fresh). This is the reason why igloos are warmer inside than outside, and why some animals in colder regions build snow caves to spend the winter while hibernating. by SunCloud-777

Yeah - what the hell is (fresh) supposed to mean or matter?

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technicalityNDBO t1_j24v4l0 wrote

Freshly fallen - it will have a lot of air pockets like a down comfortor. If snow fell 2 weeks ago, it could have gone through temperature changes that caused it to melt a little and refreeze - compacting it and reducing all of the air pockets.

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thx1138- t1_j263jbt wrote

The air in the snow is fresh. Scented with lavender.

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