If it helps, a cubic foot of ice comes in at 57.2 lbs. A cubic foot of water is 62.4. Though it might not be possible to have 2 cubic feet of water up on your roof you could easily end up with 2 cubic feet of ice if you have an ice dam.
A cubic foot of wet snow can weigh as much as 20 pounds.
And if you want cubic feet of science nerds with opinions, you are definitely on the right bulletin board. As a science nerd, I have to say this board rocks!
snow load on roof?
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smallpondkyle
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2024 12:15 pm
Re: snow load on roof?
If you need help getting snow off your roof, I can make time to help. 425 518 9873
Re: snow load on roof?
Building on what Burwinzer said -
Yes, water weighs 62 lbs pounds per cubic foot. Some of the figures from ‘snow science’ and avalanche research - puts snowfall in these terms;
Newly fallen, un-trampled - and not rained on - snow might run in the neighborhood of 10-12 or even 15% the weight of water. So a cu foot might weigh 6 to 9 or 13 lbs/cu ft. (Unless you live in the Rockies where snowfall of around 5% is seen - REAL powder!)
Older, settled snow might be in the range of 20-25%+ of the weight of water - so 12-16 lbs/cu ft++.
Old, consolidated, packed down, crusty snow may weigh 30-40%+ of water. So 18-24 lbs/cu ft. OR MORE.
A heavy rain - especially is followed by a quick freeze - could throw a wrench in these figures.
Jim
Yes, water weighs 62 lbs pounds per cubic foot. Some of the figures from ‘snow science’ and avalanche research - puts snowfall in these terms;
Newly fallen, un-trampled - and not rained on - snow might run in the neighborhood of 10-12 or even 15% the weight of water. So a cu foot might weigh 6 to 9 or 13 lbs/cu ft. (Unless you live in the Rockies where snowfall of around 5% is seen - REAL powder!)
Older, settled snow might be in the range of 20-25%+ of the weight of water - so 12-16 lbs/cu ft++.
Old, consolidated, packed down, crusty snow may weigh 30-40%+ of water. So 18-24 lbs/cu ft. OR MORE.
A heavy rain - especially is followed by a quick freeze - could throw a wrench in these figures.
Jim
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wildramble
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:19 am
Re: snow load on roof?
Heat pumps in below freezing temps...
Is an insightful AI reply in Google and worth exploring the topic to better understand that as a heating system in these northern climes (and how to manage their decreased efficiency in the overnight temps these weeks)
Is an insightful AI reply in Google and worth exploring the topic to better understand that as a heating system in these northern climes (and how to manage their decreased efficiency in the overnight temps these weeks)