Eli5: why is the sun so much brighter and unforgiving in the winter even though it’s so much colder compared to summer?

Question

Eli5: why is the sun so much brighter and unforgiving in the winter even though it’s so much colder compared to summer?

In: Planetary Science

Answer 1

Albedo. The albedo (reflectance of sunlight) of new snow can be up to 95%. So you have almost as much sun bouncing back up to you as is coming from above.