A Humorous Guide to Snow in New England

We see many types of snow here in New England, from fluffy, twinkly dreams to icy, slushy nightmares. In this humorous chart of seven common types of snow in New England, author Jon Vara breaks down the good and bad for each, including something he refers to as “Currier & Ives units per inch.” Hint: Slush is a zero.

TYPES OF SNOW IN NEW ENGLAND

POWDER SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 5-7 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): 18°-28° C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 6.5-9 Characteristic (environment): Calendar photos, ski area brochures Impurities: Few to none Useful Attributes: Light, dry, easily cleared away Drawbacks: Light, dry, readily drifts back in after being cleared away

FLUFFY SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 9-12 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): 25°-30° C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 7-10 Characteristic (environment): Interior New England, primarily upland areas Impurities: Few Useful Attributes: On exposure to moonlight, gives luster of midday to objects below Drawbacks: Much less common than songwriters and travel agents would have you believe

WIND-PACKED SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 15-20 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): Variable C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 4-6 Characteristic (environment): Exposed mountainsides, frozen lakes and ponds Impurities: Soil particles, other lightweight debris Useful Attributes: Readily cut into blocks for construction of igloos (see How to Build an Igloo in 10 Steps) Drawbacks: Prone to avalanche (rare on lakes and ponds)

REPROCESSED SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): Variable, depending on incorporated impurities Temperature (in Fahrenheit): Variable C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 1-2.5 Characteristic (environment): Roadsides and parking lots regionwide Impurities: Salt, pet waste, asphalt chunks Useful Attributes: Helps prevent out-of-control vehicles from crashing into trees and buildings (see How to Drive in Winter) Drawbacks: May persist well into July

PACKABLE SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 15-25 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): 30°-32° C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 4-6 Characteristic (environment): Southern and central New England Impurities: Single mittens Useful Attributes: Ideal for snowmen and snow forts Drawbacks: Also WHAP! for snowballs

WET SNOW

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 20-30 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): 30°-35° C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 3-5.5 Characteristic (environment): Coastal areas Impurities: Drifted-over bodies of exhausted shovelers Useful Attributes: Kids get the day off from school Drawbacks: Kids get the day off from school

SLUSH

Density (lbs./cubic foot): 30-50 Temperature (in Fahrenheit): 32° C & IU (Currier & Ives units per inch): 0 Characteristic (environment): Paths, walkways Impurities: Lost galoshes Useful Attributes: Onomatopoeic name Drawbacks: As yet, no one has invented a sport for it Do you have a favorite (or better yet, a least favorite) of these many types of snow? Have another type to add to the list? Let us know! “Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Snow (& More)” by Jon Vara was first published in the January, 1998 issue of Yankee Magazine.

SEE MORE: Does Snow Have a Smell?Sugar On Snow | RecipeHow to Drive in Winter