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How do strong winds redistribute snow across tundra landscapes?

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tundra biome — Polar ecosystem Southern limit of Arctic tundra and approximate line of demarcation between Low and High Arctic.

In treeless tundra landscapes, strong winds play a critical role in redistributing snow across the terrain. Rather than settling evenly, snow is stripped from exposed areas, such as landscape convexities, and transported to sheltered locations.1

The wind deposits this snow as drifts in specific areas, including:
* Concavities in the landscape1
* Patches of shrubs1
* The leeward side of ridge tops and boulders1

In addition to relocating snow, these winds compact the snow cover, which increases its density. This process has significant ecological consequences: it makes the surface easier for large animals to traverse, but it simultaneously makes it more difficult for them to dig through the snow to reach food sources beneath. Conversely, the resulting deeper snow drifts provide essential insulation for small rodents, allowing them to construct winter nests at the ground's surface.1