Mason County, MI Roof Snow Load - Case Study Area
Why doesn't Mason County have a snow load number?
This is one of a small number of counties where the map query itself came back empty rather than with a Case Study flag, most often because the county's reference point sits right at a shoreline. The real value is almost certainly close by; use the ASCE Hazard Tool directly for the exact address.
FIPS 26105, population 29,093 - Mason County's basic numbers, even without a mapped snow load.
Mason County at a glance
- Population29,093
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal74.6 in.
- FIPS26105
Typical snowfall in Mason County, MI
NOAA's 30-year normal for Mason County: 74.6 in. of snow a year, from the HESPERIA 4 WNW, MI US station. 30.4 mi is a real gap between Mason County and its nearest reporting station, so local snowfall can diverge from this figure, especially near elevation changes. (fresh vs. packed vs. ice explains why.)
What this Mason County figure assumes
This is a county-level reference figure for a typical heated home built to Risk Category II (ordinary residential), on a partially exposed lot - the assumptions ASCE 7-22 itself treats as the default case. A steeper roof, a fully exposed hilltop lot, an unheated structure, or a higher risk category all change the actual number.
Mason County's permit office wants an address-specific figure, not this county average - the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool is free, takes under a minute, and outputs a PDF most reviewers accept. Details: the calculation guide.