Jefferson County, WV Roof Snow Load - Case Study Area
Why doesn't Jefferson County have a snow load number?
ASCE 7's own snow load map has no single figure for Jefferson County: the terrain is complex enough that the code (§7.2) requires an elevation-specific study rather than a county-wide value. That is the map being accurate, not a data gap.
FIPS 54037, population 61,264. 386 US counties get this same case-study treatment; Jefferson County is one of them.
Jefferson County, WV: quick facts
- Population61,264
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal19.8 in.
- FIPS54037
Jefferson County's snowfall, most winters
19.8 in. a year: that's Jefferson County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at THE PLAINS 2 NNE, VA US (29.1 mi away). That station is far enough away (29.1 mi) that local snowfall - especially at a different elevation or near a lake - can run noticeably higher or lower than this figure. See the density guide.
Before you rely on Jefferson County's number
Treat the Jefferson 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. (How this figure is calculated.)