and with a bright sun, i see the moon go up. is that because most of the counrty is covered in white and therefore reflective?

?? This isn't a coffeehouse!!!! I feel like I should be snapping in approval while smoking a Pall Mall

Maybe because there is a full moon on Tuesday and the angle of the Sun compared to the moon.

I don't think it is the reflection of anything off the snow.

gotten brighter as it has progressed from 15 to 30 deg.