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Why do snow-free tundra areas begin growing plants earlier in summer?

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

Snow-free tundra areas begin growing plants earlier in the summer because they are not insulated by snow, which allows the ground to be exposed directly to solar radiation and heat earlier in the season.1

In polar ecosystems, snow cover acts as an insulating layer that protects plants from extreme winter cold but also delays the start of the growing season. Areas where snow has been blown away by wind are the first to initiate plant growth because the soil is exposed to the sun's rays, facilitating earlier warming. Conversely, areas with deep snowbanks remain cold for longer, supporting only those plants adapted to a significantly shorter growing season.1

While snow-free areas benefit from an earlier start to the season, they may also face challenges; the lack of snow cover can lead to summer drought, as the winter accumulation of snow is often the primary source of moisture for plant growth during the summer months.1