How To Measure Snow

It's that time of year, finally.

'The flakes have floated,
The ground is coated,
But the snow amounts
Are often bloated.'

Ok, I'm not much of a poet, but it is that time of year when we'll put our yardsticks to good use and attempt to measure the snow that is falling or has fallen.

Over the years, I've seen winter storms come and go. Yet, weather enthusiasts still don't know how to measure the snow properly and report amounts accurately.

I harp on this subject because such information is vital for the professionals to get a handle on how their forecast is performing and whether adjustments need to be made for others who are about to receive impacts from the snow.

I praise the NWS office for helping us prepare for the upcoming winter weather season. During their Winter Weather Awareness Campaign, the good folks there have provided a basic tutorial for how to measure snow, where to measure snow, and when to measure snow.

I've provided a couple of lists below that you will find 'enwhitening', as Elmer Fudd would say.

Snowfall Measuring Procedures

"In Depth" Snow Measuring

More to come on our possible winter storm for the day after Christmas.

MS