 Snowfall can be measured by simply sticking an ordinary ruler down into snow that has fallen on the ground. Because the wind can cause snow to blow and accumulate differently in different places, it is best to take snowfall measurements in several different places, and then take the average of all measurements. Be sure you don't stick the ruler down into prior snow accumulations (if you are measuring new snow fall) or underlying soil (such as gravel).
For example, if you took snowfall measurements of 4", 3", 3-1/2", and 4-1/2" at four different locations, the average would be 3-3/4" ([4" + 3" + 3-1/2" + 4-1/2"] / 4 = 3-3/4").
In the United States the average snowfall is about 28" per winter; the record is 1,140", which was recorded at Mt. Baker in Washington state during the snow season of 1998–99. |
