Snow to Liquid Ratios: Adding It All Up

There are many factors that play a role into just how much snow will fall during a winter storm.  One of those factors is the snow to liquid ratio.  The snow to liquid equivalent is the amount of liquid that is present after a certain amount of snow has melted.  The 'average' snow to liquid ratio is 10:1.  Meaning 10 inches of snow would equal one inch of water if melted down.  Higher snow to liquid ratios indicate a more dry snow, whereas lower snow to liquid ratios indicate a heavy snow.


The temperature profile of the atmosphere is a big indicator of just how much moisture the snow will have as it falls.  A temperature closer to freezing tends to have more moisture associated with it (because warmer temperatures can hold more moisture).  These snowflakes are often times larger in size because they 'stick' together, and can sometimes be as large as half dollars.  This type of snow is great for making snowballs, but can be very difficult to shovel and is often times referred to as 'heart attack' snow.


Dry snow, on the other hand, doesn't contain a lot moisture and occurs when the temperature is colder.  There are more air pockets between the snow crystals causing the snow to 'fluff' up more.  This type of snow can sometimes cause snow totals to add up rather quickly.  The snow is light as it falls and is easily blown around.  This is the type of snow we had Sunday night and throughout the day Monday.  With temperatures continuing to drop into the low teens Monday evening, any additional snow that falls will remain very dry and fluffy.