Mason County, WV Roof Snow Load - 20 psf
Mason County, WV: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English
Mason County's roofs are built to hold 20 psf of snow, the ASCE 7-22 figure a permit reviewer checks first. 14 psf is what the ground-load formula alone gives; Mason County's 20 psf low-slope minimum (§7.3.4) beats it, so that figure is the one that governs on flat and low-pitch roofs.
In depth, not weight: that's roughly 44 inches of fresh, light snow, 16 inches of old, settled snow, or as little as 4 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.
Mason County, WV: quick facts
- Design roof snow load20 psf
- Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map20 psf
- National rank#911 of 2,758
- West Virginia rank#15 of 34
- Population24,770
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal11.6 in.
- FIPS54053
Mason County by the numbers
Nationally that's #911 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 33%; within West Virginia alone, Mason County ranks #15 of 34. Mason County's figure lands almost exactly on West Virginia's own county-average of 20 psf.
Mason County, FIPS 54053, is home to 24,770 people near 38.7709°N 82.029°W. Its 20 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 20 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.
Mason County's snowfall, most winters
11.6 in. a year: that's Mason County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at RIPLEY, WV US (17.4 mi away). See the density guide.
Before you rely on Mason County's number
Treat the Mason 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.