the universe's indifference to human suffering
The snow is just one more element that the prisoners are forced to deal with. It is not something the their will can endure as many of the prisoners succumb to the cold and dampness. The snow is not described as something hopeful or beautiful. Instead it symbolizes one more way in which the universe does not care about human suffering. The universe keeps going in its usual way despite the atrocities and the suffering of the people in it.
