The Snow Water Density (SWD) calculator computes the kilograms per meters cubed (kg/m) for snow of different types or water at different temperatures per the US Geological Survey (USGS).
INSTRUCTIONS: Enter the following:
- (T) Choose a type of snow from the pull-down list.
- (Temp) Temperature for liquid water (default is 0º C)
DENSITY (ρ): The calculator returns the density in kilograms per cubic meters. However, this can be automatically converted to other density units via the pull-down menu.
Related Calculators:
- Compute the weight of snow on an area.
- Compute the weight of snow on a rectangular area.
- Compute the weight of snow on a polygon shaped area.
- Compute the weight of snow on a roof.
- Compute the amount of water in snow laying on land.
The Math / Science
Water density is a function of temperature. Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is the product of snow depth and snow density. It can be presented in units of either kg/m2 or m:
SWE (`(kg)/(m^2)`) = snow depth (`m`) x snow density `((kg)/(m^3))`
SWE (`m`) = snow depth (`m`) x snow density `((kg)/(m^3))` / water density `((kg)/(m^3))`
You can calculate snow depth from SWE if you know the density of the snow. Of course, density of snow can range anywhere from 5% when ambient air temperature is 14 F, and can range up to 20% if the temperature is 32 F. The snow density will increase after the snowfall due to gravitational settling, packing, wind effects, melting and refreezing.
| Type of snow, ice or water | densities (kg/m³) |
| New snow (immediately after falling in calm) | 50-70 |
| Damp new snow | 100-200 |
| Settled snow | 200-300 |
| Depth hoar | 100-300 |
| Wind packed snow | 350-400 |
| Firn (granular snow) | 400-830 |
| Very wet snow and firn | 700-800 |
| Glacier ice | 830-917 |
| Snow Melt | 1002 |
| Water | f(Temp) |
| Sea Water | 1021.98 |
The equation will use a median value for the ranges in the density value column.
Water Related Calculators
- Underwater Pressure
- Pore Water Pressure
- Osmotic Pressure
- Density of water at STP
- Density of seawater
- Saltwater Intrusion
- Snow or Water Density
- Water Density by Temperature
- Compute the Depth of Water associated with a Pressure
- Bernoulli's Equation (Pressure)
- Bernoulli's Equation (Velocity)
- Bernoulli's Equation (Elevation)
- Volume of Water in a Well