After several years of lighter winters, the Tug Hill Region is experiencing a heavier winter season with up to 26 feet of snow having fallen around Copenhagen and Barnes Corners, in Lewis County.
The timing of heavy snowfall events and the lack of a thaw have contributed to many structure failures, primarily where lake-effect bands hit in Oswego and Oneida counties.
The Northeast Data Climate Center at Cornell University provides a one-stop resource for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) weather data.
The table below is a quick snapshot of their snowfall data from November 1st through the month of February for sites in the four-county Tug Hill Region that had consistent data.
The data in the table are collected from available monitoring locations in and around the Northeast. Anyone can access this data by going to the Northeast Data Climate Center.
One option is to click “NOWData,” select the National Weather Service station of interest, choose “daily data for a month” under product, select the month and year of interest, and click “view.” Alternatively, click “CLIMOD 2 Data Access,” select single-station or multi-station data, and explore options for products.
Know Your Snow Load
Heavy snowfall can cause serious damage to buildings, roofs, and other structures. Stay prepared and take action to prevent costly repairs or dangerous collapses.
Know you roof’s capacity – Every structure has a limit. Make sure your building is designed to handle the expected snow load in your area.
Monitor snow accumulation – Wet, heavy snow adds significant weight. Ice buildup can make it even worse. Lake effect snow can be heavier than typical; snow in other areas.
Look for warning signs – Creaking noises, sagging roofs, or doors and windows that suddenly stick could indicate an excessive load.
Prevent ice dams – Keep gutters clear and ensure proper insulation to avoid dangerous ice build-up.
* The Hooker NNW site is between Copenhagen and Barnes Corners.
A version of the story ran in the Tug Hill Times, a newsletter of the Tug Hill Commission.
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