Snow weight

Enter the vertical thickness of the existing snow layer on the considered area, with its measured or assumed bulk density. The depth follows gravity and keeps the same meaning in both area modes. The default density is an assumption; real snow density changes with its condition.

The angle is measured from horizontal. An inclined area A is projected as Ah = A cos(α). For depth h in metres, volume is h Ah and mass is ρ h Ah. Mass per horizontal area is ρ h; the vertical weight load is ρ h × 9.81 / 1000 kPa. One kPa equals one kN/m². Thickness measured perpendicular to an inclined surface would need conversion to vertical depth: h = hn / cos(α).

This is a uniform planar-layer estimate. Ground snow is not automatically transferred to a roof. Drifts, separate ice or water layers, future weather, design snow loads and structural capacity are outside this model. The input limits are calculation limits; the maximum angle is not a snow-sliding threshold.

Sources checked 14 September 2026: WSL/SLF: Snow as a material and SLF: Snow water equivalent measurements.