The pattern of acoustic emission response in snow subjected to constant deformation rates is examined. The structural character of snow is discussed and an equation that describes the pattern of the acoustic emission response is derived. Comparison between the predicted acoustic response and experimental data is made and the agreement is shown to be excellent. The acoustic emission response for 7075-T6 aluminum and iron-3% silicon subjected to constant rates of deformation is also considered. The acoustic emission equation derived for snow represents the response in these materials. It is suggested that the internal fracture concept used to develop the model for snow may also apply to other densely packed polycrystalline materials.