Snowfall Measurement Guide

The best tool for snowfall measurement is a standard snow board (16x16 inches, white painted) combined with a measuring stick marked in tenths of inches. Professional meteorologists use this setup because it minimizes melting from sun absorption and provides consistent, accurate snowfall measurement. For home use, a simple yardstick and DIY snow board work perfectly well.

To measure snowfall accurately: 1) Use a flat, open area away from buildings and trees, 2) Insert a measuring stick vertically into the snow until it reaches the ground or snow board, 3) Read the measurement at eye level to avoid parallax error, 4) Take multiple measurements (3-5 spots) and calculate the average, 5) Measure every 6 hours during active snowfall for best accuracy. Always record your snowfall measurement with date, time, and weather conditions.

The best time for snowfall measurement is every 6 hours during active snowfall (6 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM, 12 AM), clearing the snow board after each reading. For official reporting, the National Weather Service recommends measuring at 7 AM local time to capture the 24-hour snowfall total. If you can only measure once, do it in the morning after snowfall has stopped.

Clear your snow board every 6 hours during active snowfall to get accurate interval measurements. This prevents snow from settling and compacting, which would give you lower snowfall measurement readings. After clearing, immediately record the depth before clearing, then brush off all snow to start fresh for the next measurement period.

Snow depth is the total accumulated snow on the ground at any given time, while snowfall measurement refers to the amount of new snow that has fallen during a specific time period. Snow depth includes old snow that may have settled or compacted. Snowfall measurement is taken on a cleared snow board to measure only fresh accumulation, making it more accurate for weather reporting.

Yes, you can use a regular ruler or yardstick for snowfall measurement as long as it has clear markings in tenths of inches (0.1"). Metal or rigid plastic rulers work best because they won't bend. The key is having accurate, easy-to-read markings and inserting the ruler vertically into the snow. A dedicated snow measuring stick is ideal, but a standard ruler works fine for home snowfall measurement.

In windy conditions, snowfall measurement becomes challenging due to drifting. Take measurements in multiple locations (5-7 spots) across your measurement area and average them, excluding obvious drifts and bare spots. Choose the most sheltered yet representative location possible. Document wind conditions in your notes, as this helps explain any unusual snowfall measurement variations. If wind is extreme, wait for calmer conditions when possible.

Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is the amount of liquid water contained in snow, measured by melting a snow sample. It's an advanced snowfall measurement technique used for water resource management. The typical ratio is 10:1 (10 inches of snow = 1 inch of water), but this varies from 5:1 for wet snow to 20:1 for powder. SWE provides more accurate data than snow depth alone for predicting water supply and flood risk.

For citizen science and personal records, snowfall measurement accuracy of ±0.5 inches is acceptable. For contributing to weather networks like CoCoRaHS, aim for ±0.1 inch accuracy by using proper tools, taking multiple measurements, and following standard procedures. Professional meteorologists achieve ±0.1 inch accuracy using calibrated equipment and strict protocols. The key is consistency in your snowfall measurement methodology.

You can report snowfall measurement data to several networks: CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network) is the largest citizen science network, Weather Underground Personal Weather Stations accept snow reports, and the National Weather Service welcomes volunteer observations through their COOP program. Many local news stations also collect snowfall measurement reports from viewers. Always include your exact location and measurement time when reporting.