Lawrence County, MO Roof Snow Load - 15 psf
Lawrence County, MO: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English
Lawrence County's roofs are built to hold 15 psf of snow, the ASCE 7-22 figure a permit reviewer checks first. The physics-based figure alone would be 10.5 psf, but ASCE 7's own low-slope minimum (§7.3.4) sets a floor of 15 psf for flat and low-pitch roofs here, which is the number that actually governs.
In depth, not weight: that's roughly 33 inches of fresh, light snow, 12 inches of old, settled snow, or as little as 3 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.
Got real snow on a Lawrence County roof right now?
Lawrence County, MO: quick facts
- Design roof snow load15 psf
- Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map15 psf
- National rank#1,400 of 2,758
- Missouri rank#93 of 115
- Population39,151
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal11.9 in.
- FIPS29109
Lawrence County by the numbers
Nationally that's #1,400 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 51%; within Missouri alone, Lawrence County ranks #93 of 115. Missouri counties average 18.6 psf; Lawrence County runs 3.6 psf lower than that.
Lawrence County, FIPS 29109, is home to 39,151 people near 37.1066°N 93.8305°W. Its 15 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 15 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.
Lawrence County's snowfall, most winters
11.9 in. a year: that's Lawrence County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at BILLINGS 1SW, MO US (14.5 mi away). See the density guide.
Before you rely on Lawrence County's number
Treat the Lawrence 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.