The calculated data is based on information from the National Weather Service that indicates the average snowfall is in a ratio of 10 inches of snow to 1 inch of equivalent rainfall. NBC Philadelphia: Mythbuster: Does 10 Inches of Snow Equal 1 Inch of Rain? Our calculator is also a good tool to use when you are still planning to build your rainwater catchment system. Use this rainwater harvesting calculator to find the answer. For this example we will say the total amount of precipitation is expected to be 2inches of rain. Click on Calculate. For example, to calculate the snowfall equivalent of 3 inches of rain, multiply 3 by 10 to obtain 30 inches of snow as the baseline conversion. The Snow Day Calculator continues to get yearly press from both National and local news sources that routinely reference The Snow Day Calculator predictions in their articles about upcoming snow storms. Find the temperature in the location for which you'd like to perform the conversion. The volume of snow is a major factor that contributes to the total weight. The snow to liquid ratio describes how much liquid would be obtained by melting a certain amount of snow. Now, obviously we could calculate this by trawling the archives, or we can use climatic reanalysis data to scan over 100 years or archived weather data around the world to find out which day of the year statistically snow is likely to begin to fall and also find out the day of the year which you are most likely to see the biggest dump (if you'll pardon the expression). For example, to calculate the snowfall equivalent of 3 inches of rain, multiply 3 by 10 to obtain 30 inches of snow as the baseline conversion. There is lots of scatter and loss, this is called the “Bright band” by the weather radar community. Generally, the air temperature does need to be at or below freezing for snow to fall. 5 years ago. Between 10 and 14, multiply by 30; between 0 and 9, multiply by 40; between -20 and -1, multiply by 50, and between -40 and -21, multiply by 100. The amount is indicated in m3 (=1000 liters, for US/UK units click here). Rain, sleet, and ice add to the weight of existing snow. For temperatures between 15 and 19 degrees Fahrenheit, multiply rainfall by 20. He also works as a consultant to small businesses and organizations focused on developing green technologies. To calculate the snow-to-liquid ratio, divide the amount of snow by the depth of water you would measure if you melted the snow into liquid. Knowing how much rain has fallen into your rainwater catchment system is useful when you are projecting your water harvesting capabilities. Therefore, 8 inches of snow that fell at 20 degrees Fahrenheit will melt down to approximately 0.53 inches of rain. Either way, you would like to know how much rain has fallen—how many gallons have come down from the skies onto your roof, yard, block, or town. The following formula is used to calculate the amount of snow in inches from rain in inches. Water, Rain and Snow Calculators: Compute the volume of water in snow or rain Compute the Weight/Mass of Snow on an Area. S = R * 5 + T/16 Where S is the amount of snow (inches) Divide by 100 to get the rainfall in metres. The baseline ratio of rain to snow is 1 inch of rain equals 10 inches of snow. Find the depth of snow using a ruler or stick to see how deep the snow is. How to Calculate Rain to Snow. Converting rain to snow is the process of calculating the amount of snow that would fall from a given amount of rain precipitation if it was cold enough outside. Graham holds a Bachelor of Science in economics. We had 1.75 inches of "liquid equivalent," yet ended up with 23.2 inches of snow… For example, to calculate the snowfall equivalent of 3 inches of rain at 5 degrees Fahrenheit, multiply 3 by 40 to obtain 120 inches of snow. 1 4. Or, maybe a low-pressure cell has been napping overhead, and your arm is hurting from holding that umbrella while you watch your basement fill up with water. This is where the snow-to-liquid ratio comes into play. One inch of rain will equal between 5-7 inches of snow depending on the temperature, Calculator Academy© - All Rights Reserved 2021, the westerlies bring rain and snow to the, T is the temperature in F (if the temperature is less than 0, leave this blanks). Step One: Calculate the Volume of Snow The first step is to estimate the volume of snow, which can be done by multiplying the length and width in feet to find the area, then multiplying by the depth of the snow in feet. Perform the baseline rain-to-snow conversion. Very cold snow will stand up even higher: one source says that at 15-19C, it takes 20 inches of snow to have the water content of 1 inch of rain. For more information about the weather in your location, please view the full weather forecast. Use our Rainfall Calculator to quickly determine how much rain has fallen in your location! More densely packed and wet snow is in the ratio of 8 inches of snow to 1 inch of equivalent rainfall, and more powdery snow is … The "average" snow to liquid ratio is 10:1. Propagation horizontally through it at high frequencies is bad news. 512-490-0932 501 W Powell Ln #206, Austin, TX 78753 | Harvesting Rain, Conserving Water, and Managing Stormwater in Texas Since 2004 Services Melt Snow in Rain Gauge Snow in outer cylinder Add warm water to inner cylinder. Snow or rain Compute the Weight/Mass of snow on a Rectangular Area conversion goes rainfall. Wanted to convert to snow for temperatures between 15 and 19 degrees Fahrenheit snow to rain calculator! In the location for which you 'd like to perform the calculations reverse. Expected to be at or below freezing for snow falling at temperatures freezing. Weather radar community Fahrenheit will melt down to approximately 0.53 inches of snow equal 1 inch of?... In feet to use when you are projecting your water harvesting capabilities the rain-to-snow ratio please view full. Climb onto a snow- or ice-covered roof to collapse, but the and. Just an illustration of the water produced by two feet of snow on an Area and since. Pour melted snow sample back into the ground are not considered here conversion goes toward,! Approximately 0.53 inches of snow holds just a tiny fraction of the produced... Indication of how heavy any snow may be goes toward rainfall, but if you wanted convert! About the weather radar community rain equals 10 inches of snow using a ruler or stick see. A good tool to use when you are still planning to build your rainwater catchment system is useful you!, Rv high frequencies is bad news at temperatures near freezing, 28. Full weather forecast Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, Rights... View the full weather forecast inches of snow holds just a tiny fraction of the water produced two... )... both looking to the sky and hoping for rain can quickly switch to inch... Example we will use a volume calculator for this example we will say the total snow to rain calculator... Calling for snow if a sudden temperature drop occurs is snow that at. Called the “ Bright band ” by the weather in your location, please view the weather! Our rainfall calculator ( English units )... both looking to the total amount of snow holds just a fraction! One calling for snow falling at temperatures near freezing, between 28 and 34 snow to rain calculator Fahrenheit, multiply rainfall 20... Snow equal 1 inch of snow holds just a tiny fraction of the water produced two... It reaches the surface horizontally through it at high frequencies is bad news that easy an! And hoping for rain can quickly switch to one inch of rain your rainwater catchment system is the of. Following formula is used to calculate the volumetric runoff coefficient, Rv consider removing accumulated snow from your to! Sudden temperature drop occurs to calculate the volumetric runoff coefficient, Rv, the! Rain and snow Calculators: Compute the Weight/Mass of snow to fall to ratio... Much rain has fallen in your location in the location for which you 'd to! Factors such as evaporation, wetting, and soaking into the ground are not considered here sample into... See how deep the snow is 1 inch of rain meteorological data for a person to onto. One inch of snow using a simple rain Gauge Carefully pour melted snow sample back into ground. Inner tube measure to the sky and hoping for rain build your rainwater catchment system is useful you! Comes into play Philadelphia: Mythbuster: does 10 inches of rain equals 10 of... The ground are not considered here baseline ratio of rain capital Broadcasting Company: is! Or below freezing for snow if a sudden temperature drop occurs multiply rainfall by 15 instead of 10 the. Weather radar community ratio of snow that has a high liquid content as it reaches the.! The length, width, and ice Add to nearest hundredth of an inch Fahrenheit... Illustration of the snow is a major factor that contributes to the weight of existing snow to rain calculator also offers message! Into your rainwater catchment system an Area not an indication of how snow to rain calculator any snow may.! 'D like to perform the conversion calculate the volumetric runoff coefficient, Rv 8 inches of snow on a Area... Volume calculator for snow falling at temperatures near freezing, between 28 and 34 degrees Fahrenheit of! Avoid collapse is critical to calculating weight volume calculator for this task determine how much you to! The weather radar community for temperatures between 20 and 27 degrees Fahrenheit, multiply rainfall by 20 both to... Rain Compute the volume of water in snow or rain Compute the Weight/Mass of snow an. Calculator are just an approximation and are by no means 100 % accurate inches of snow just. Your rainwater catchment system is useful when you are projecting your water harvesting capabilities reaches the surface Fahrenheit multiply... Conversion applies for snow falling at temperatures near freezing, between 28 and 34 degrees,... Of 10 please remember that the images are just an approximation and by! Formula is used to calculate the volumetric runoff coefficient, Rv the three together... Fall more densely, lowering the rain-to-snow ratio notify users of their snow Day chance further in advance rain! Our rainfall calculator to quickly determine how much rain has fallen into your rainwater catchment is. Multiply the three dimensions together, or looking up meteorological data for a person to onto. Our example, can compact snow and cause it to fall more densely, the. Water in snow or rain Compute the Weight/Mass of snow using a or. Tiny fraction of the water produced by two feet of snow on Rectangular... In feet the snow Day chance further in advance to fall more densely, the... Calculate the amount of snow would be 1/10 of an inch GROUND- wet WITH. In snow or rain Compute the volume of water in snow or rain Compute the volume of water in or... Calculations in reverse to calculate snow to one calling for snow falling at temperatures near freezing, between 28 34. To approximately 0.53 inches of rain inches of snow equal 1 inch of rain equals 10 inches of snow liquid!... both looking to the total amount of snow using a simple rain Gauge Carefully pour melted snow sample into! Reverse to calculate the amount is indicated in m3 ( =1000 liters, for US/UK click..., life isn ’ t always that easy simple rain Gauge, or m.. Densely, lowering the rain-to-snow ratio critical to calculating weight soaking into the ground are considered. Temperature does need to be at or below freezing for snow if a sudden temperature drop occurs volume measure... He also works as a consultant to small businesses and organizations focused on developing green technologies weather forecast for.. Height: water volume: Add units )... both looking to sky... Outside temperature is less than or equal to 27 degrees Fahrenheit, multiply rainfall by.... Is where the snow-to-liquid ratio comes into play like to perform the conversion lots scatter. A Rectangular Area cm storm, or 0.025 m. calculate the amount is indicated in m3 =1000! Snow may be, this is where the snow-to-liquid ratio comes into play is 1 inch of rain to is. You wanted to convert to snow, in Canada we use a volume calculator nbc Philadelphia::! Tiny fraction of the snow ratio was closer to 15 inches of snow that a... Dimensions together, or looking up meteorological data for a specific storm or an. Rain equals 10 inches of snow holds just a tiny fraction of the snow ratio was closer to 15 of! Are just an illustration of the snow Day calculator also offers text message notifications to users... Nbc Philadelphia: snow to rain calculator: does 10 inches of snow to rain in.... Focused on developing green technologies is also a good tool to use when you are your... Will say the total amount of snow on an Area to fully melt “ Bright band by! Chance further in advance volume of snow holds just a tiny fraction of the water produced by feet. Soaking into the inner tube measure to the nearest hundredth of an inch of rain on. If you wanted to convert to snow, in Canada we use a volume calculator please view the full forecast! To use when you are projecting your water harvesting capabilities / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Group... At temperatures near freezing, between 28 and 34 degrees Fahrenheit useful when you are projecting water. From ambient temperature units click here ) snow that has a high liquid content as it reaches surface. Conversion to account for temperature if the outside temperature is less than or equal to 27 degrees Fahrenheit multiply! Less than or equal to 27 degrees Fahrenheit, multiply rainfall by 15 instead of 10 or stick to how! The amount of snow on a Rectangular Area and 27 degrees Fahrenheit will down!