Let’s face it – not all snowstorms are cut from the same cloth. Some prefer to linger leisurely, while others rush in like a flurry-filled locomotive. This is where the snowfall rate steps in. It’s not just about the volume of snow descending, but the speed at which it accumulates. When it comes to any form of precipitation, the rate of descent holds utmost significance. The snowfall rate denotes the speed at which snow descends within a specific timeframe.
For instance, during intense snowfall events, you might hear a weather expert mention that the snowfall rate is two to three inches per hour. The higher the snowfall rate, the greater the impact is likely to be. Not only will the snow accumulation be more substantial, but prolonged periods of high snowfall rates can severely limit visibility. Oftentimes, blustery winds accompany areas experiencing high snowfall rates, further contributing to reduced visibility.
A storm generating a high snowfall rate over a short period can be more disruptive than a longer-lasting storm yielding the same total snowfall. Meteorologists rely on snowfall rate forecasts to assess the potential for blizzard-like conditions, school closures, or significant disruptions to transportation. A snowfall rate of less than half an inch per hour can create a picturesque winter scene, while rates of two to three inches per hour can swiftly blanket roads, walkways, and bridges, creating perilous to nearly impassable conditions.
Jennifer Gray, a seasoned weather and climate journalist for weather.com, has been immersed in covering some of the globe’s most significant weather and climate-related narratives over the past two decades.
