 How did the climate affect the humans' perception of the aliens?
Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals. The history of the planet was tabulated as facts became available. A meteor shower could pass over and their clumsy instruments could interpret it as an all-out enemy attack." They went much closer to Earth, not intending to commit themselves. For a day they circled the planet, avoiding radar detection, which for them was not difficult, testing, and sampling. Atmospheric analysis showed that as far away as we were." The southern plains were green, coursed with rivers; the oceans were blue; and much of the northern hemisphere was glistening white. Ragged clouds covered the pole, and a dirty pall spread over the mid-regions of the north.
 The cold pushed the aliens to fly a bit, exposing their wings.
 The cold pushed the aliens to fly a bit, exposing their wings.  The aliens seemed extra out of place in the cold.  The cold was what allowed their ships to glow and look powerful.  The cold made it harder for the aliens to travel on the surface.