Snow load is the weight of accumulated snow, frost, and ice on the ground or structures. It is calculated based on the weight of water in the snow, not its depth. Building codes require structures to withstand the heaviest snow load in the area. Pitched roofs shed snow more efficiently than flat roofs. Code requirements vary by region, with some areas requiring structures to carry loads of over 300 pounds per square foot.
A snow load is the load placed on the ground or structure by accumulated snow, frost and ice. Snow load is usually calculated using equations that determine how much water is present in a given type and depth of snow accumulation. The snow load on the ground is calculated first, based on an average sample of level ground, and the load carried by the roofs is then normally derived from that figure. Building codes require structures to be able to comfortably support the heaviest snow load that could reasonably be expected to accumulate in the geographic area in which they are located.
Snow tends to accumulate on the ground and structures in cool climates during the winter. Snow accumulations are often measured in terms of depth. This can give a rough idea of the actual weight of the snow present, but the actual weight of the snow varies widely, with light powder snow weighing very little and dense, wet snow weighing a lot. The snow load calculation is based on the weight of water in the snow in a given area, rather than the depth of the snow.
The weight of water in a particular snowpack can be determined by measuring the depth of the snow and then applying formulas based on the composition of the snowpack. These formulas are based on experimental evidence gathered over many years and are quite accurate. This calculation method is preferred because actually melting and weighing a representative snowpack sample is a difficult process.
Ground snow load refers to the weight of water per square foot that is exerted on the ground by the snowpack. This statistic is often not directly relevant, although heavy snow can damage some landscape features. Roof snow load is a much more important statistic and is calculated from the ground load in a region.
The load placed on a particular roof is influenced by the building design and other environmental factors. Pitched roofs, especially pitched roofs, such as the A-frame styles common in very snowy climates, shed snow very efficiently and carry much less load than flat-roof structures. Melt can also reduce or redistribute the weight of snow on a roof.
Building codes require structures to be capable of withstanding the increased snow load that is likely to accumulate. Code requirements therefore vary widely from region to region. Homes in Florida would not have to carry a load of snow at all, while homes in areas with lots of snow, such as Alaska or the Rocky Mountains in California, may need to be able to carry loads of more than 300 pounds per square foot (61 kg per square meter).
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