Final answer:
The initial increase in snowfall due to Earth warming would be a positive feedback while the increase in snow cover leading to cooling represents a negative feedback.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Earth warmed up and more snow fell because of more water vapor in the atmosphere, the initial increase in snowfall would be positive feedback, while the continued increase in snowfall due to cooler temperatures would be negative feedback. This can be understood by looking at examples of other feedback mechanisms in the climate system:
- The melting of Arctic ice reduces reflection and increases absorption of solar energy, accelerating warming - a positive feedback.
- Increased cloudiness reflecting more sunlight back into space, providing a cooling effect - a negative feedback.
Positive feedback loops amplify changes and tend to move a system away from its equilibrium state, making it more unstable. Whereas, negative feedback loops tend to dampen changes, moving the system towards stability or the original state. In the context of Earth's climate, the initial increase in snowfall is a result of a positive feedback mechanism due to more water vapor in the atmosphere. However, if the snow leads to cooling that increases snow cover further, this becomes a negative feedback, as it counteracts the warming trend.