A method of improving a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for a light signal transmitted by wireless optical communication through adverse environmental conditions, the light signal including a snake component and a ballistic component for carrying coded information, and a diffusive component that adds to background noise, the method comprising the steps of: encoding information to be transmitted by the light signal, wherein the light signal is one of a serial train of code pulses or a modulated light beam; selecting an appropriate wavelength for the encoded light signal; transmitting the encoded light signal though the adverse environmental conditions; receiving the encoded light signal; sorting the received encoded light signal to preferentially select the information carrying components and reduce the diffusive component; and detecting the sorted encoded light signal with a photo-detector.