Why does everything sound louder in the winter/cold/night?
In: Physics
It’s actually because sound moves faster at higher temperatures and slower at lower temperatures meaning it will have a tendency to refract or bend towards one or the other.
Sound waves have a tendency to refract or bend towards a lower temperature medium. Because it is colder at night, any sound waves propagated will tend to move to the earth’s surface where the air is cooler which makes sounds louder and clearer since you are on or near to the ground.
Snow was not directly mentioned in the question but that can increase the amount of sound waves reflected and give the perception of a louder and clearer sound.
In the winter snow, everything is up to 10 dB higher, considering the sound is reflected back on the snow. Think of being trapped in a room.
I assume that what you are referring to is interference. In the winter, there are less people out and thus less sounds. Same goes for nights and when it’s cold. There is simply less interfering noise, making it seem/sound louder.
If you want an explanation of interference, or of relative audio perception (perceiving things as louder when there is less other noise)
* cold air is denser and transmits sound better
* there tends to be less activity about, allowing you to hear faint noises you otherwise might not
* you are trying to sleep and you notice it because it is bugging you
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