How Much Snow? Here’s How You Know:

With several feet of lake effect snow on the way for the Great Lakes, reports will flying in from multiple states. Between wind gusts and plows blowing snow all over the place, how do you know you’re getting an accurate reading? Here are the do’s and don’ts of measuring snowfall:

DO:

• Find a nice, level place to measure where drifting or melting has not occurred.
• Slide ruler or yardstick into snow until it reaches the surface.
• Read value on ruler to the nearest tenth of an inch.
• Take readings from several different locations and take an average.
• Measure at eye level.
• Take multiple measurements during the storm.
• Measure as soon as possible after the snow ends.

DON’T:

• Measure next to buildings. Find an open area.
• Keep it to yourself. Report findings with an exact location to WeatherNation and your National Weather Service office.

Official measurements with the NWS are taken on snow boards. It’s a 16″ x 16″ piece of half or 3/4″ plywood painted white. When placed in an isolated spot, it helps you to get a flat surface to measure on. For more information on how to get a snowboard or how to take measurements, visit CoCoRaHS.org.