Does Clean Snow Melt Faster Than Dirty Snow?

No. Dark, dirty snow absorbs the heat rays of the sun more quickly than clean, white snow, which reflects these rays back into the air. So dirty snow melts faster than clean snow.

Actually, clean snow isn't white at all. The tiny flakes are frozen, colorless ice crystals which reflect the light and make the snow appear white.

This same principle of absorbing and reflecting the heat rays of the sun explains why people wear white clothes rather than dark ones to keep cooler in the hot summer.

The largest snow crystals ever found fell during a snowstorm in Montana in 1887. Each crystal measured 15 inches in diameter and was 8 inches thick!