Simpson County, KY Roof Snow Load - 15 psf
Simpson County, KY: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English
Simpson 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. This is a meaningful design load - most modern-code homes handle it fine, though an addition, a carport or a flat-roofed section can be a weak spot.
Snow on Simpson County's roofs right now?
Simpson County, KY: quick facts
- Design roof snow load15 psf
- Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map15 psf
- National rank#1,464 of 2,758
- Kentucky rank#63 of 120
- Population20,350
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal2 in.
- FIPS21213
Simpson County by the numbers
Nationally that's #1,464 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 53%; within Kentucky alone, Simpson County ranks #63 of 120. 15.7 psf is Kentucky's typical county figure - Simpson County comes in 0.7 psf under it.
Simpson County, FIPS 21213, is home to 20,350 people near 36.7409°N 86.5818°W. Its 15 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 15 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.
Simpson County's snowfall, most winters
2 in. a year: that's Simpson County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at PORTLAND SEWAGE PLT, TN US (11 mi away). See the density guide.
Before you rely on Simpson County's number
Treat the Simpson 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. Details: the calculation guide.