Rain to Snow Calculator
To accurately convert rain to snow, enter rainfall amount in millimeters (mm) or inches, enter temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
Select Snow Type, Wet Snow (ratio ~5:1 to 8:1), Average Snow (ratio ~10:1), and Dry Snow (ratio ~15:1 to 20:1).
The calculator will compute the equivalent snow depth based on the snow-to-liquid ratio.
Rain to Snow Conversion Table
| Rainfall (inches) | Light Snow (15:1) | Moderate Snow (10:1) | Heavy Wet Snow (5:1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.5 inches | 1.0 inches | 0.5 inches |
| 0.2 | 3.0 inches | 2.0 inches | 1.0 inches |
| 0.5 | 7.5 inches | 5.0 inches | 2.5 inches |
| 1.0 | 15.0 inches | 10.0 inches | 5.0 inches |
| 2.0 | 30.0 inches | 20.0 inches | 10.0 inches |
| 3.0 | 45.0 inches | 30.0 inches | 15.0 inches |
| 4.0 | 60.0 inches | 40.0 inches | 20.0 inches |
| 5.0 | 75.0 inches | 50.0 inches | 25.0 inches |
| 6.0 | 90.0 inches | 60.0 inches | 30.0 inches |
| 7.0 | 105.0 inches | 70.0 inches | 35.0 inches |
| 8.0 | 120.0 inches | 80.0 inches | 40.0 inches |
| 9.0 | 135.0 inches | 90.0 inches | 45.0 inches |
| 10.0 | 150.0 inches | 100.0 inches | 50.0 inches |
| 11.0 | 165.0 inches | 110.0 inches | 55.0 inches |
| 12.0 | 180.0 inches | 120.0 inches | 60.0 inches |
| 13.0 | 195.0 inches | 130.0 inches | 65.0 inches |
| 14.0 | 210.0 inches | 140.0 inches | 70.0 inches |
| 15.0 | 225.0 inches | 150.0 inches | 75.0 inches |
Formula For Rain to Snow Conversion
Snow Depth = Rainfall × Snow RatioWhere:
- Rainfall: Amount of liquid precipitation (inches or mm)
- Snow-to-Liquid Ratio: Conversion factor based on temperature and snow type
Temperature Adjustment Formula:
Adjusted Ratio = Base Ratio × (1 + (32 - Temperature)/40)Where:
- Base Ratio: Standard snow-to-liquid ratio for the selected snow type
- Temperature: Ambient temperature in Fahrenheit
Final Snow Depth = Rainfall × Adjusted Ratio × Unit Conversion FactorSnow Types
- Wet Snow: Base Ratio = 10:1, Temperature Range = 28-32°F
- Average Snow: Base Ratio = 13:1, Temperature Range = 20-27°F
- Dry Snow: Base Ratio = 15:1, Temperature Range = 15-19°F
- Powder Snow: Base Ratio = 20:1, Temperature Range = Below 15°F
What is the Most Common Snow-to-Liquid Ratio?
The most common ratio is 10:1, meaning one inch of rain equals ten inches of snow. This represents wet snow conditions typical of temperatures near freezing (32°F/0°C).
Modern meteorology recognizes that ratios can vary from 3:1 to 100:1 based on atmospheric conditions, with 13:1 being a reliable average for forecasting.
How to Convert Rain to Snow?
- Determine the snow ratio based on expected temperature and moisture conditions:
- Wet, heavy snow (near 32°F): 10:1 ratio
- Average snow (20-30°F): 12:1 ratio
- Light, fluffy snow (very cold): 15:1 or higher
- Measure or note the rainfall amount in inches or millimeters
- Multiply the rainfall by the chosen ratio
With 2 inches of rain and expecting average snow conditions: 2 inches × 12 = 24 inches of snow
1 inch of rain to snow: 1 inch × 10 = 10 inches of snow Perfect for basic winter storm planning
2 inches of rain to snow: 2 inches × 10 = 20 inches of snow Significant snowfall requiring serious preparation
3 inches of rain converted to snow: 3 inches × 10 = 30 inches of snow Major winter storm conditions
4 inches of rain converted to snow: 4 inches × 10 = 40 inches of snow Extreme winter weather event
5 inches of rain equals how much snow: 5 inches × 10 = 50 inches of snow Potentially record-breaking snowfall
What is Rain to Snow?
Rain to snow conversion represents the fascinating process where liquid precipitation transforms into frozen crystalline structures.