Snowfall Calculator

Estimate snowfall depth from liquid precipitation, snow ratio, area, and accumulation efficiency. This calculator can also estimate snow water equivalent, meltwater volume, collected water, and snow accumulation totals.

Calculate Snowfall

Snowfall Depth = Liquid Precipitation × Snow Ratio × Accumulation Efficiency
Your result will appear here.

How the snowfall calculator works

Liquid precipitation:
Enter the liquid water amount, such as 1 inch of rain equivalent or 25 millimeters of liquid precipitation.

Snow ratio:
Select the snow-to-liquid ratio. A 10:1 ratio means 1 inch of liquid water can produce about 10 inches of snow.

Accumulation efficiency:
Use this to reduce the estimate when melting, compaction, wind, or mixed precipitation limits accumulation.

Area:
Enter an area if you want to estimate total water volume from the snowfall.

Why use a snowfall calculator?

A snowfall calculator is useful for weather planning, storm estimates, snow-to-liquid conversions, snowpack checks, snowmelt planning, driveway clearing, roof planning, and comparing forecast precipitation with possible snow accumulation.

Snowfall is only an estimate because snow ratio changes with temperature, storm track, wind, compaction, sleet, and melting during the storm.

What your result means

Your result shows the estimated snowfall depth from the entered liquid precipitation and snow ratio. Lower ratios produce wetter, heavier snow with less depth. Higher ratios produce drier, fluffier snow with more depth.

Snowfall calculation tips

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate snowfall from rain equivalent?

Multiply the liquid precipitation amount by the snow ratio. For example, 1 inch of liquid at a 10:1 ratio equals about 10 inches of snow.

What does a 10:1 snow ratio mean?

A 10:1 snow ratio means 1 inch of liquid water produces about 10 inches of snow.

Why does snow ratio change?

Snow ratio changes with temperature, moisture, storm type, wind, compaction, and whether precipitation mixes with rain or sleet.

Can this estimate snowmelt water volume?

Yes. Enter the liquid precipitation and area to estimate meltwater volume in gallons, liters, cubic feet, and cubic meters.