impact of snowstorms on MW propagation

[ku4a]

Some MW DXers believe that snowstorms enhance MW propagation. Is this true? If so, how does it work?

[AmericanDXer]

I couldn't honestly tell you but weather does have an impact on radio waves. Since there is snow on the ground it might bounce a lot further than it normally would...kinda like clouds except what makes it bounce is the snow cover...

[ku4a]

I have not observed any weather impact on the MW frequencies, so I thought maybe the "snowstorm" theory would prove to be an exception to the rule. Tomas would know the answer if anyone would

[kf4hou]

hmm i wonder if them people are talking about signal strentgh or noise levels.. maybe both ? well i could say snow storms might make local noise levels lower which would enhance signal strentgh (SNR). not sure on MF but in UHF,SHF moisture in the air can scatter signals

[AmericanDXer]

Longer nights help a bit also, however, I dont do a lot of MW listening anymore. I'm more into SW DXing.

[n6hb]

I don't know if there is theory to support the claim of enhanced propagation. However, I do remember my impressions from when I lived in a place where it actually snowed. During the snowstorm, static would be higher than normal (listening on wire beams or multi-wire diversity arrays). For a period of several hours after a storm ended, I would experience better reception due to a much lower noise floor (making signals seem to "pop"). Atmospheric noise was obviously lower during this time, but I believe there may have also been a reduction in man-made electrical noise due to the power lines being covered with snow. Maybe it made them less dry, and thus, less prone to arc?

Interesting topic.

[americandxer97]

Yeah, the moisture does reduce the chance of them arcing. I read this on a few sites online the other night.