Why everything goes silent after it snows

The peculiar hush is partly due to less human activity, but also down to snow's acoustic damping effect

Going outside after a snowfall can be magical, with the spectacle of a winter wonderland underlined by the change in the soundscape. Suddenly, all is quiet.

The peculiar hush is partly due to the reduction in human activity. There are fewer people and less traffic about, often fewer planes and trains. Building sites, road mending and other sources of noise fall silent. Birdsong is equally subdued.