How much does snow weigh?

[Caryl]

I have 26 inches of show on my Airstream roof. If it were you, would you go sweep it off? How much weight can that roof hold?

[SteveSueMac]

I'm not a meteorologist - but I've heard 10" of snow = 1" of rain. If true, that's like having 2.6" of standing water on your roof. While the shape of the roof is curved (making it stronger like an egg shell compared to a flat board), I'd remove it were it mine.

[DKB_SATX]

How much it weighs depends largely on the type of snow... whether it's light fluffy powder or icy heavy stuff. A brief search yields estimates of a little over 5 lb per cubic foot for powdery stuff to as much as 20 lb per cubic foot for heavy, compacted wet stuff. Spread out across the surface, I think it'll be OK as far as weight goes, but melting snow may find leaks that rain doesn't.

[BigAl]

I would remove it only so that if it warms up and rains it would get awefully heavy.
I believe that if it is saturated with water it could weigh as much as 200 lb per square foot. Don't think that would be good for the trailer.
Al

[JDS]

I'd sweep it off. Hard to say how much it weighs as snow varies greatly in density, from light & fluffy to much heavier, "wetter" snow.

John S.

[John&Vicki]

I shovel a fair amount of snow here in Central Oregon and the weight varies a lot, from feather light dry powder to wet mush. All depends on water content. If you can build a snowman with it you might want to remove it - and build the snowman.

Poppy

[ROBERT CROSS]

We get our fair share of snow here in WNY, never enough to consider climbing a ladder in the slippery season though.

I suppose if it got bad enough....not like this.


Like this....


Bob

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Caryl

I have 26 inches of show on my Airstream roof. If it were you, would you go sweep it off? How much weight can that roof hold?

Anywhere from 5 pounds per cubic foot to 25 pounds per cubic foot.

If you expect icing conditions (partial melt followed by a refreeze) get the snow off your roof. Ice dams that prevent melt-water from draining could cause significant leaks before everything fully thaws. That also applies if you're heating the trailer from inside.

[ROBERT CROSS]

If you are convinced it's necessary.... do it safely and don't use the 'conventional' auto sno-brush or foam rake...you may regret it come Spring.

What would you use to move it?

Good question...
I've used 120psi air gun to blow powder off the DW's DD.....but then again I'm the one who blo's leaves out the gutter.

Bob

[RangerJay]

Originally Posted by Caryl

I have 26 inches of show on my Airstream roof. If it were you, would you go sweep it off? How much weight can that roof hold?

We get a fair bit of snow as well - and in my own humble opinion the issue has less to do with the strength of the aluminum and more to do with the cracking of the AC cowl and the vent covers - after replacing the cowl and both vents (following different winters) I'm still not sure whether the issue was the depth of snow or the extreme cold (minus 40 is not unusual here) or maybe a combination of both - but after building wooden covers for the winter I've had no problems since.


Jay

[TG Twinkie]

Snow gets heavier as it condenses moisture from the air.
I don't think you have anything to worry about when it comes to weight.
If you put heat in the coach. Most of the snow will melt and run off. Of course that would cost a few $$$.

[Caryl]

All helpful responses, thank you. I, too, am concerned about the snow rake harming things. Also concerned that most of the snow would fall down on me! AC shroud damage from freezing and thawing, leaks, all are concerns. Since it will be -12 for a high tomorrow, we are just going to ponder the issue tomorrow and deal with it when the temperature climbs to 20 later this week. Or not deal with it. Jury is still out. But thank you for all your comments. It's all helpful.

All the best,
Caryl

[JDS]

I would use a very soft bristle push broom that's gentle enough not to scratch the clear coat.

John S.

[Ag&Au]

How much does snow weigh?

I do have degree in meteorology. That makes me smart enough to know not to try to answer that question. A structural engineer, or perhaps an architect, is the person you want to answer that question for you.

This link is interesting, especially the last paragraph.

How Much Does Snow Weigh? | Condo Engineer

Ken

[Sbb]

Crumb read this tread too late. I have about6" on top and today while at work we started with frozon fog(who knew this was a real thing) and terrible ice. Tomorrow a warm up then boom, down to 5'. I missed my window to remove the snow. Great idea build the wood covers, any photos? Are they attarched or just placed on. Top? Any chance thecovers can harm the roof? Thanks

[goshawks00]

Take a rope with a few big knobs tied in it. Toss it over the trailer then work the snow off a little bit at a time. Only down side is it's a two person job. BTW take a couple pics... 26" is a lot of snow.

[Beaker63]

Our maybe use your gas leaf blower.
Tim

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Beaker63

Our maybe use your gas leaf blower.
Tim

An electric one is more likely to start at -12F...

[NevadaGeo]

If, you are thinking about it, and thinking about it again, and thinking about it again, listen to something and get out there and remove abunch of that weight. Might rain a few inches on top of that 26 and then it'd get extra heavy. Or there might develop ice dams that run snow melt uphill and into some leak and fill the inside with melt water. or

any way, the more you work with intuition, the more you get.

[Caryl]

As of this afternoon. Some of the snow blew away and it's also compacted. It's just too cold to get out there. Maybe tomorrow afternoon when the winds slow down.