What is snowmelt?

Snowmelt is when snow turns into water, just like ice cubes melting in your drink.

Imagine you have a big pile of snow outside, like the ones you build in the winter. When the sun comes out and it gets warmer, the snow starts to get soft and wet, kind of like how ice cream melts on a hot day. This is snowmelt!

Once the snow turns into water, it can flow down hills and into streams, just like when you pour water from a glass onto a table. Sometimes this water fills up rivers and lakes, making them bigger, kind of like how your bathtub gets fuller when you turn on the tap.

It happens because warmth makes snow change its shape. The sun gives off warmth, which is like giving the snow a gentle hug. After enough hugges, the snow can't stay solid anymore, it becomes liquid and runs away, ready to go on an adventure!