sun and shade

Snow in the fall and in the spring is a mixed blessing at best. It does provide some opportunities to observe some of the phenomena from the natural world. I think because there isn't an existing snow pack as in the dead of winter, one can observe the effects of sun, shadow, terrain and wind. Snow disappears most quickly in areas like south facing slopes, and where snow hasn't been able to collect, like in depressions and on the lee side of bushes and trees. The sun causes snow to melt, and shade helps it to remain. There is a road nearby that I often walk that goes north to south. The snow melts more quickly on east facing slopes, and remains on the west facing slopes. I think the sun is strongest in the afternoon which causes it to have a greater impact on west facing slopes.