Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

How to Measure the Moisture Content of Snow

Measuring the moisture content of snow is an age-old weather forecasting technique and one of the most effective. It is important to know how much water snow contains because if it melts or rains, flooding can result. Knowing the amount of moisture in snow can save lives, prevent damages to buildings and roads and save money. National Weather Services test and predict weather conditions with computers and other sensors, but nothing beats human observation and reports when it comes to this type of climate data collection.

Things You'll Need

Rain or snow gauge
Gauge location

Instructions

- 1
  Find a location away from fences, buildings, steep hills and trees to place your rain gauge. Rule of thumb is to find an open area that is at least twice the distance away from a structure as it is tall. Structures can cause updrafts during strong winds and may reduce the snowfall in your gauge and lead to an inaccurate reading.
- 2
  Attach the gauge to a post between two to five feet from the ground. Ensure the gauge is level but above the top of the post.
- 3
  Bevel the top of the post to reduce rain splashing into the gauge and snowfall from accumulating and providing inaccurate readings. Keep away from trees and fences.
- 4
  Bring the container inside after a snowfall and let the snow melt. Read the amount of moisture from the bottom of the meniscus, the curved surface along the top of the water level where it clings to the container. One inch of water fills the central cylinder in your snow gauge. The gauge can hold 11 inches of water overall.
- 5
  Record the amount of moisture to the nearest hundredth of an inch. Do not round up.
- 6
  Create a log and record the moisture content in snow daily at the same time, or within a couple hours of the same time daily. Say, 7 a.m. but no earlier than 5 a.m. or later than 9 a.m.

Nature