Convert liquid precipitation to snow depth at an adjustable snow-to-liquid ratio (default 10:1).
Rain to Snow Converter result
The 10:1 ratio is a RULE OF THUMB, not a law: wet snow near freezing is about 5:1, dry powder in deep cold can be 20:1 or more. The ratio varies with temperature, humidity and snow type.
How to use this tool
Type the rainfall or melted amount, for example 10 mm.
Use 10 for typical snow, 5 for wet snow, 20 for dry powder.
Snow depth appears in your unit with the inch/mm equivalent.
Enter a snow depth to find its liquid water equivalent.
Formula & worked example
10 mm of liquid precipitation at the standard 10:1 ratio gives 100 mm (10 cm) of snow. At a wet 5:1 ratio the same rain gives only 50 mm of snow; at a dry 20:1 ratio it gives 200 mm.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
The ratio is an estimate that varies with temperature, humidity, wind and snow crystal type. Settling and melting after snowfall further reduce measured depth — this tool does not model either.
Frequently asked questions
The depth of snow produced by a given depth of liquid water. The rule of thumb is 10:1 — 10 mm of snow per 1 mm of liquid.
Snow density depends on temperature and crystal type. Wet snow near 0°C is dense (about 5:1); cold dry powder is fluffy (20:1 or more).
About 10 inches at 10:1, but anywhere from about 5 to over 20 inches depending on snow type.
Divide snow depth by the ratio: 100 mm of snow at 10:1 holds 10 mm of liquid water.
No — it is a climatological average. Forecasters adjust it for each storm's temperature profile.