A snowfall is measured to find its liquid content, the amount of melted water which it will provide to soak the soil and fill the rivers. But light, feathery snow contains less water, of course, than densely packed granules of snow. The water content varies, but on a average it takes about eight inches of snow to equal one inch of rainfall.

Rain gauges or snow gauges are set out where the snow is not likely to drift. The value of a widespread snowfall is estimated. by taking the figures from widely separated gauges throughout the area.