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Snowfall records are being challenged and some are being smashed during this 2011 winter season in many parts of the U.S.
The following NOAA snow depth map illustrates the magnitude of the snow depth across much of the northern portion of the U.S., particularly in the northeast where the snow continues to accumulates.
The latest January 26-27 snowstorm produced snowfall rates as steep as 5 inches per hour and dropped up to another foot and a half of fresh snow on top of what was already there.
In fact, so much snow has fallen, and so little has melted off, that roofs are beginning to collapse all across the northeast.
Early on January 27, the roof of a garage building collapsed in Lynn, Massachusetts under 3 feet of accumulated snow, weighing tons, trapping several people inside.
credit: whdh.com
The roof of a warehouse collapsed in Bridgewater, Massachusetts when this most recent storm dumped 8 inches of additional snow, and was the proverbial ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’.
credit: necn.com
Other roof failures were also being reported in Connecticut.
Buildings with flat roofs are under the greatest danger of collapse due to snow load. Since there have been only a few episodes of significant natural melting, the buildup of snow with its water content, can amount to about 6 pounds per square foot of 12 inch deep snow (depending on water content) – which translates to 600 pounds per every 10
Snowfall records are being challenged and some are being smashed during this 2011 winter season in many parts of the U.S.
The following NOAA snow depth map illustrates the magnitude of the snow depth across much of the northern portion of the U.S., particularly in the northeast where the snow continues to accumulates.
The latest January 26-27 snowstorm produced snowfall rates as steep as 5 inches per hour and dropped up to another foot and a half of fresh snow on top of what was already there.
In fact, so much snow has fallen, and so little has melted off, that roofs are beginning to collapse all across the northeast.
Early on January 27, the roof of a garage building collapsed in Lynn, Massachusetts under 3 feet of accumulated snow, weighing tons, trapping several people inside.
credit: whdh.com
The roof of a warehouse collapsed in Bridgewater, Massachusetts when this most recent storm dumped 8 inches of additional snow, and was the proverbial ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’.
credit: necn.com
Other roof failures were also being reported in Connecticut.
Buildings with flat roofs are under the greatest danger of collapse due to snow load. Since there have been only a few episodes of significant natural melting, the buildup of snow with its water content, can amount to about 6 pounds per square foot of 12 inch deep snow (depending on water content) – which translates to 600 pounds per every 10