Snowfall seems simple: grab a ruler, stick it in the snow, and done. But snow piles unevenly, blows around, compacts, or even (gasp!) melts — meaning a single quick measurement can be wildly misleading.
Here are two ways to do it: good enough and pro-level.
Option 1: The 'good enough' method
If you didn’t prep ahead of time, do this.
1) Pick the best surface you have
- Choose a flat, level surface: wood is great; a patio table, flat deck board, or trash can lid can work in a pinch.
2) Where not to measure
- Avoid tall grass if possible — blades can inflate your reading.
- Under trees (they intercept snow).
- Next to buildings or fences (they block/funnel wind and create drifts).
3) Take multiple readings, then average
- Take 3 to 5 measurements from undisturbed spots (not drifts, not shoveled piles).
- Average them for your “storm so far” total.
4) Report clearly
Share: “X inches (average of 4 measurements), near [neighborhood].” That’s usually enough for a reliable, comparable number.
Option 2: Measuring like a pro
If you want the gold-standard approach, use a snowboard — a simple, flat board placed before snow starts.
1) Set up a snowboard before the storm
- A square of plywood works fine.
- Place it on level ground, away from trees/fences/buildings (think ~10-plus feet if you can).
- Mark it with a stake/flag so you can find it when buried.
2) Measure every 6 hours — and clear it
- The standard method is: measure → record → clear the board → repeat
- Then add the 6-hour totals for the storm total. This helps reduce undercounting from snow compacting over time.
Important: Clearing too often can inflate totals. Six-hour intervals are the benchmark.
3) If snow changes to rain, measure right away
If accumulation ends or flips to rain/sleet, get a measurement promptly — before melting/settling steals inches.
A quick reminder
Snowfall (what fell) ≠ snow depth (what’s on the ground). Depth can include old snow.
