Convert liquid precipitation to snowfall or reverse it with a chosen snow-to-liquid ratio, solve an observed ratio, compare scenarios, and estimate storm volume.
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Rain to Snow Formula
The following depth relationship converts liquid water equivalent to snow using a chosen snow-to-liquid ratio. Use matching length units and the liquid equivalent assigned to snowfall. Actual ratios depend on atmospheric profiles,humidity,crystal type,wind and settling; surface temperature alone does not determine the ratio or precipitation type.
- Where S is the amount of snow (inches)
- R is the amount of liquid precipitation (inches)
- SLR is snow depth divided by its liquid-water-equivalent depth in matching units. Use a positive assumed or observed ratio,not a surface-temperature-only estimate.
Snow depth = liquid equivalent × SLR. Reverse it with liquid equivalent = snow depth / SLR; an observed positive ratio is snow depth / liquid equivalent. Relative snow density is 100/SLR percent of water density. Fresh snowfall and aged snowpack can have different ratios.
| Rain (in) | Assumed SLR | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 10:1 | 1.00 |
| 0.10 | 14:1 | 1.40 |
| 0.25 | 10:1 | 2.50 |
| 0.25 | 14:1 | 3.50 |
| 0.50 | 10:1 | 5.00 |
| 0.50 | 14:1 | 7.00 |
| 0.75 | 10:1 | 7.50 |
| 0.75 | 14:1 | 10.50 |
| 1.00 | 10:1 | 10.00 |
| 1.00 | 14:1 | 14.00 |
| 1.25 | 10:1 | 12.50 |
| 1.25 | 14:1 | 17.50 |
| 1.50 | 10:1 | 15.00 |
| 1.50 | 14:1 | 21.00 |
| 2.00 | 10:1 | 20.00 |
| 2.00 | 14:1 | 28.00 |
| 2.50 | 10:1 | 25.00 |
| 2.50 | 14:1 | 35.00 |
| 3.00 | 10:1 | 30.00 |
| 3.00 | 14:1 | 42.00 |
| Snow = liquid equivalent × the explicitly assumed ratio. These scenarios preserve the numerical examples; they are not temperature forecasts or bounds on actual snowfall. | ||
Rain to Snow Conversion
This conversion estimates snow depth from a supplied liquid-water-equivalent depth and ratio. In mixed precipitation,use only the portion assigned to snow; the calculator does not decide the precipitation phase or predict drifts and compaction.
Rain to Snow Example
FAQ
At an explicitly assumed10:1 ratio,1inch of liquid water equivalent corresponds to10inches of snow. Actual ratios vary widely and can change during a storm; surface temperature alone cannot set a unique ratio or determine whether snow falls.
