Snow typically has a 10:1 water ratio when the snow is collected in a gage and melted down. So if 10 inches of snow falls, this equals approximately one inch of precipitation (melted water equivalent). At colder temperatures the ratio of water equivalent to snowfall is higher. For the storm of December 19, 2009, I confirmed through measurement that the ratio was 15:1. The snow was light and easier to shovel since the snow contained less water since it fell at a colder temperature (cold air holds less moisture than warm air). This storm produced 10 inches in Perth Amboy, NJ (see gage measurement photo) with drifts up to 18 to 24 inches.
George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and President of Wright Weather Consulting, Inc. Our web site is WrightWeather.com.
