Buena Vista County, IA Roof Snow Load - 24.5 psf

Buena Vista County, IA: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English

In depth, not weight: that's roughly 53.9 inches of fresh, light snow, 19.6 inches of old, settled snow, or as little as 4.9 inches of solid ice - snow that heavy is rare here but ice from a freeze-thaw cycle adds up far faster than the depth suggests. Modern-code homes carry a load like this without issue; an older addition, a carport, or any flat-roofed section is where it is worth checking first.

Buena Vista County at a glance

• Design roof snow load24.5 psf
• Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map35 psf
• National rank#338 of 2,758
• Iowa rank#13 of 99
• Population20,816
• Annual snowfall, NOAA normal35.2 in.
• FIPS19021

Buena Vista County by the numbers

Nationally that's #338 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 12%; within Iowa alone, Buena Vista County ranks #13 of 99. Iowa counties average 21.7 psf; Buena Vista County runs 2.8 psf higher than that.

Buena Vista County, FIPS 19021, is home to 20,816 people near 42.7415°N 95.1414°W. Its 35 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 24.5 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.

Buena Vista County's snowfall, most winters

35.2 in. a year: that's Buena Vista County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at SIOUX RAPIDS 4 E, IA US (11.2 mi away). See the density guide.

Before you rely on Buena Vista County's number

Treat the Buena Vista County figure as a starting point, not a final answer: it assumes standard occupancy, a heated structure and a moderately sheltered site, per ASCE 7-22's own defaults. Exposed terrain, an unheated building or a steeper roof all shift the real number.

For a real application, skip the county number and go straight to the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool - enter your coordinates and it returns a site-specific figure a plan reviewer will recognize. Details: the calculation guide.