Columbia County, NY Roof Snow Load - 24.5 psf

Columbia County, NY: 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. A meaningful design load. Most homes built to modern code handle it, but additions, carports, and flat-roofed sections are worth a second look.

Columbia County, NY: quick facts

• Design roof snow load24.5 psf
• Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map35 psf
• National rank#323 of 2,758
• New York rank#16 of 28
• Population60,299
• Annual snowfall, NOAA normal31 in.
• FIPS36021

Columbia County by the numbers

Nationally that's #323 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 12%; within New York alone, Columbia County ranks #16 of 28. That's 0.9 psf below New York's own county-average design load of 25.4 psf.

Columbia County, FIPS 36021, is home to 60,299 people near 42.2477°N 73.6267°W. Its 35 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 24.5 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.

Columbia County's snowfall, most winters

31 in. a year: that's Columbia County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at HUDSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, NY US (8.5 mi away). See the density guide.

Before you rely on Columbia County's number

Treat the Columbia 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. See the methodology guide.