Phelps County, NE Roof Snow Load - 20 psf
Phelps County, NE: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English
Phelps County's roofs are built to hold 20 psf of snow, the ASCE 7-22 figure a permit reviewer checks first. 17.5 psf is what the ground-load formula alone gives; Phelps 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.
Phelps County, NE: quick facts
- Design roof snow load20 psf
- Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map25 psf
- National rank#1,124 of 2,758
- Nebraska rank#40 of 93
- Population9,042
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal23.6 in.
- FIPS31137
Phelps County by the numbers
Nationally that's #1,124 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 41%; within Nebraska alone, Phelps County ranks #40 of 93. 20.2 psf is Nebraska's typical county figure - Phelps County comes in 0.2 psf under it.
Phelps County, FIPS 31137, is home to 9,042 people near 40.5164°N 99.4066°W. Its 25 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 20 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.
Phelps County's snowfall, most winters
23.6 in. a year: that's Phelps County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at RAGAN, NE US (15.4 mi away). See the density guide.
Before you rely on Phelps County's number
Treat the Phelps 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.