Snow

Snow itself is largely scentless due to its nature as frozen water. However, the experience of smelling snow is often influenced by the environment it interacts with. Typically, when people describe the scent of snow, they are actually sensing a crisp, fresh, and clean odor, which might be attributed to the way that cold, snowy conditions affect the molecules in the air.

In cold weather, the threshold for detecting odors is increased, making the air seem fresher and clearer due to less particulate matter and pollutants. What many might identify as the "scent" of snow is often the smell of ozone generated by snow-inducing, low-temperature atmospheric conditions combined with increased humidity, which can give a metallic or slightly sweet taste. This clean aroma is sometimes described as "earthy" or akin to fresh laundry.

This phenomenon, coupled with psychological factors and the purity of the environment after a snowfall (absence of usual odors due to snow covering decaying vegetation and other organic material), contributes to our perception of snow’s "scent." Thus, while snow itself doesn’t emit a scent, our experience of it can evoke a very specific and comforting sensory profile, characterized by freshness and clarity.