23 Inches of Snow = 16,800 lbs of Crushing Weight

Massachusetts winters can be brutal, and right now with recent storm dumping significant snow in Berkshire County, many roofs, especially porches, flat/low-slope sections, or older homes, are under serious stress. The real danger isn't just the fluffy white stuff; it's the weight.

J. Smegal Roofing does snow removal from roofs across the county - I recently spoke with Jason about how much the snow actually weighs and its impacts.

We did an eye-opening experiment for a customer recently: On a porch roof, we measured 23 inches of snow depth across a six-square (600 sq ft) area. We cut out a 1 ft x 1 ft cube—it weighed 28 lbs!

Doing the math: 600 sq ft × 28 lbs per sq ft = 16,800 extra pounds before the next storm hit.

That's like parking several cars on your roof—way beyond what most structures are built to handle safely, even in our snowy state.

Depending the snow type, (wet), the snow can weigh a lot more.

Warning signs to watch for (per FEMA & experts):

• Sagging ceilings or roof lines
• Cracking/popping sounds
• Sticking doors/windows
• New interior leaks

What to do:

• Clear snow safely with a roof rake (from the ground—never climb up if risky).
• Hire pros for heavy accumulations or if unsure.
• Prevent ice dams with good insulation/ventilation.
• Check your home's specific snow load rating via local codes or an engineer.

Don't wait for disaster—act now!

The Berkshires will see gusty winds and a low of 7F on Monday night, cloudy skies tomorrow with a high temperature 15. More snow is headed toward the end of the week - we could see another 4 more inches!