Snow Accumulation & Volume Calculator
Calculate snow accumulation depth, total snow volume, and snow water equivalent (SWE) for a given area based on snowfall rate and duration.
Surface area receiving snowfall
Typical light snow: 0.5–1 cm/hr; heavy snow: 5+ cm/hr
Total snowfall duration
Fresh dry snow ≈ 50–100 kg/m³; wet snow ≈ 200–300 kg/m³; water = 1000 kg/m³
Formulas Used
Accumulation Depth:
D (cm) = Snowfall Rate (cm/hr) × Duration (hr)
Snow Volume:
V (m³) = Area (m²) × D (m)
Snow Mass:
M (kg) = V (m³) × ρsnow (kg/m³)
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Depth:
SWE (cm) = D (cm) × (ρsnow / ρwater) where ρwater = 1000 kg/m³
SWE Volume:
VSWE (m³) = Area (m²) × SWE (m)
Snow Load:
Load (Pa) = ρsnow (kg/m³) × g (9.81 m/s²) × D (m)
Assumptions & References
- Reference: Judson, A. & Doesken, N. (2000). Density of Freshly Fallen Snow in the Central Rocky Mountains. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 81(7), 1577–1587.