How to Make Better Snow: Temperature, Humidity & Wet-Bulb

When it comes to making snow in your backyard, weather conditions have a major impact on the quality of the snow you produce. You may be able to make snow when conditions are right on the edge, but if your goal is light, dry, high-quality snow, colder and drier conditions are the way to go.

Wet-Bulb Temperature Is What Matters

Air temperature alone doesn't tell you whether you can make snow. The key measurement is wet-bulb temperature, which combines the outside temperature and relative humidity.

Backyard Snowstorm recommends a wet-bulb temperature of 28°F (-3°C) or colder for making real snow. However, snow quality improves as the wet-bulb temperature drops.

This is why you can sometimes make snow when the thermometer reads slightly above freezing. If the air is dry enough, evaporation can cool the water droplets as they travel through the air, allowing them to freeze.

Colder and Drier Means Better Snow

Not all snow is created equal. When you're making snow near the upper limit of what's possible, the result will generally be denser, wetter, and slower to accumulate.

As conditions become colder and drier, water droplets freeze more efficiently. The resulting snow is typically lighter, fluffier, and faster to accumulate.

If you have the choice between making snow during a marginal night or waiting for a colder, drier night, waiting will usually produce better results.

Temperature and Humidity Work Together

Imagine two nights where the temperature is exactly the same. If one night has significantly lower humidity, the snowmaking conditions can be much better.

That's because wet-bulb temperature is determined by both factors. Lower humidity allows water droplets to cool more effectively, while high humidity makes it more difficult for those droplets to lose heat through evaporation.

Our Snowmaking Weather Chart lets you see exactly how temperature and humidity combine to determine the wet-bulb temperature.

Use Local Weather Data

One of the easiest ways to improve your snow is to make sure you're using accurate temperature and humidity readings.

Weather conditions can vary significantly over short distances, so a weather station or weather app several miles away may not accurately represent the conditions in your backyard. Backyard Snowstorm recommends using a local weather station or thermometer near your snowmaking area for the most accurate readings.

Knowing the actual conditions where you're making snow makes it much easier to decide when to start—and when it's worth waiting.

Use Snowbase to Check Conditions

If you don't want to calculate wet-bulb temperature yourself, Snowbase makes checking your snowmaking conditions easier.

The Backyard Snowstorm weather app uses weather information for your location to help determine whether conditions are suitable for making snow. It can also show you the forecast so you can find the best window for snowmaking.

The Best Time to Make Snow

If you're focused on snow quality rather than simply making snow, don't just look for temperatures below freezing. Look for cold, dry conditions with a low wet-bulb temperature.

As a general guide:

• 28°F wet bulb: Snowmaking is possible, but snow will generally be wetter and denser.
• Below 25°F: Snow quality and accumulation begin to improve significantly.
• 20°F or lower: Excellent conditions for producing light, dry, high-quality snow.

The colder and drier the conditions, the easier it is for your snow gun to turn water into quality snow. If you want the best snow possible, patience can be just as important as your equipment.