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The easiest way to measure snow, is with something called a snow board, but not the kind you're probably thinking of. You'll need a light colored wooden board. The color is important as a darker board will absorb too much warmth from the sun. Essentially, a roughly 4 square foot piece of plywood will do.

You'll also need a measuring device like a yard stick or ruler, and an open area away from any shelter or trees that might affect accumulations. 

After you've placed the board in an open area, wait for the snow to fall. When it stops, go measure the snow depth and record it to the nearest tenth of an inch. Now you can clear the board and start again. 

It's a bit harder without the board, as you need to look for an elevated surface away from structure. A picnic table can work for this. If you must use the ground, find a grassy area where it's as short or downtrodden as possible. 

Its important to remember to keep track of all measurements if you make more than one, avoid measuring in drifts, and to limit measurements throughout the day to limit the potential for error. 

We will also see potential for ice accumulations with this storm; that, you can measure too!

To get started, you'll only need two things; a measuring device like a ruler and a list for your records. 

First, find an ice coated object away from any shelter. A good example here would be a small twig or broken limb in your yard away from any trees. 

Look closely at it and measure the distance between the object itself and the edge of the ice. Do this for both the thickest and thinnest portions of the ice. Add the two measurements together and divide by two for your official measurement. 

Of course, you can share all of this data, and photos and videos here.

Article Topic Follows: Weather

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John Ross

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