Have you ever noticed that distinct squeak when walking on snow in extremely cold weather? This phenomenon isn't just a quirky winter sound; it's a fascinating indicator of the snow's composition and the surrounding temperature. The squeaking sound occurs because very cold snow is composed of drier, smaller crystals. Unlike warmer snow, where the crystals are wetter and can slide against each other, these icy particles don't compress smoothly. Instead, they fracture under pressure.