How to measure snowfall correctly

Wx Centre/Kyle Brookings

After a snowfall one of the most common questions is "how much snow did we get?"

While there are official observations from sites such as airports, snowfall can vary greatly from place to place. You can accurately measure snowfall in your own backyard with some simple steps.

To be as precise as possible you can buy or make a snowboard. A snowboard consists of a piece of wood that is painted white and measures about 40 cm by 40 cm. The snowboard would be placed on a flat surface and cleared of snow after each measurement. Use a metre stick for accurate measurements.

Other alternatives include a spot on a wooden deck that is away from any structures such as your home, or an object in an unobstructed part of your garden.

Remember, don't measure snow that has fallen on the grass because the length of the grass can have an impact on your totals.

When it is windy, snowdrifts have a major impact on the snow depth. Try to find an area without any drifts.