Snow Load in Iowa

99 counties — Average 27.3 PSF (Moderate)

Light (29.3%) Moderate (70.7%)

Light — 29 counties with 1–20 PSF. Standard roof construction is typically sufficient.

Moderate — 70 counties with 21–40 PSF. Roofs need reinforced framing to handle regular snow buildup.

Based on ASCE 7-22, the national standard for structural snow loads used by engineers and building codes across the US.

Iowa Snow Load Map

Counties colored by snow load classification.

Iowa

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All 99 Counties — By Snow Load

County	Classification	Snow Load
Adair	Moderate	25 PSF
Adams	Light	20 PSF
Allamakee	Moderate	35 PSF
Appanoose	Light	20 PSF
Audubon	Moderate	25 PSF
Benton	Moderate	25 PSF
Black Hawk	Moderate	30 PSF
Boone	Moderate	25 PSF
Bremer	Moderate	30 PSF
Buchanan	Moderate	30 PSF
Buena Vista	Moderate	35 PSF
Butler	Moderate	30 PSF
Calhoun	Moderate	25 PSF
Carroll	Moderate	25 PSF
Cass	Moderate	25 PSF
Cedar	Moderate	25 PSF
Cerro Gordo	Moderate	40 PSF
Cherokee	Moderate	35 PSF
Chickasaw	Moderate	35 PSF
Clarke	Light	20 PSF
Clay	Moderate	35 PSF
Clayton	Moderate	30 PSF
Clinton	Moderate	25 PSF
Crawford	Moderate	25 PSF
Dallas	Moderate	25 PSF
Davis	Light	20 PSF
Decatur	Light	20 PSF
Delaware	Moderate	30 PSF
Des Moines	Light	20 PSF
Dickinson	Moderate	40 PSF
Dubuque	Moderate	30 PSF
Emmet	Moderate	40 PSF
Fayette	Moderate	30 PSF
Floyd	Moderate	40 PSF
Franklin	Moderate	30 PSF
Fremont	Light	20 PSF
Greene	Moderate	25 PSF
Grundy	Moderate	25 PSF
Guthrie	Moderate	25 PSF
Hamilton	Moderate	30 PSF
Hancock	Moderate	40 PSF
Hardin	Moderate	30 PSF
Harrison	Moderate	25 PSF
Henry	Light	20 PSF
Howard	Moderate	40 PSF
Humboldt	Moderate	35 PSF
Ida	Moderate	30 PSF
Iowa	Moderate	25 PSF
Jackson	Moderate	25 PSF
Jasper	Moderate	25 PSF
Jefferson	Light	20 PSF
Johnson	Light	20 PSF
Jones	Moderate	25 PSF
Keokuk	Light	20 PSF
Kossuth	Moderate	40 PSF
Lee	Light	20 PSF
Linn	Moderate	25 PSF
Louisa	Light	20 PSF
Lucas	Light	20 PSF
Lyon	Moderate	40 PSF
Madison	Light	20 PSF
Mahaska	Light	20 PSF
Marion	Light	20 PSF
Marshall	Moderate	25 PSF
Mills	Moderate	25 PSF
Mitchell	Moderate	40 PSF
Monona	Moderate	25 PSF
Monroe	Light	20 PSF
Montgomery	Moderate	25 PSF
Muscatine	Light	20 PSF
O'Brien	Moderate	35 PSF
Osceola	Moderate	40 PSF
Page	Light	20 PSF
Palo Alto	Moderate	35 PSF
Plymouth	Moderate	35 PSF
Pocahontas	Moderate	30 PSF
Polk	Moderate	25 PSF
Pottawattamie	Moderate	25 PSF
Poweshiek	Moderate	25 PSF
Ringgold	Light	20 PSF
Sac	Moderate	30 PSF
Scott	Light	20 PSF
Shelby	Moderate	25 PSF
Sioux	Moderate	35 PSF
Story	Moderate	25 PSF
Tama	Moderate	25 PSF
Taylor	Light	20 PSF
Union	Light	20 PSF
Van Buren	Light	20 PSF
Wapello	Light	20 PSF
Warren	Light	20 PSF
Washington	Light	20 PSF
Wayne	Light	20 PSF
Webster	Moderate	30 PSF
Winnebago	Moderate	40 PSF
Winneshiek	Moderate	35 PSF
Woodbury	Moderate	30 PSF
Worth	Moderate	40 PSF
Wright	Moderate	30 PSF

Source: ASCE 7-22 ground snow load data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the snow load in Iowa?

Iowa has an average ground snow load of 27.3 PSF, classified as moderate. Out of 99 counties: 29 light, 70 moderate.

Which Iowa counties have the highest snow load?

See the county table above for a complete breakdown.

How do I check snow load for my Iowa address?

Enter your ZIP code in the search box above to see your area's ASCE 7-22 ground snow load, classification, and roof snow load calculator.

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