Snow Load in Michigan

83 counties — Average 44.3 PSF (Heavy)

Light (6.0%) Moderate (42.2%) Heavy (30.1%) Extreme (10.8%) Case Study (10.8%)

Light — 5 counties with 1–20 PSF. Standard roof construction is typically sufficient.

Moderate — 35 counties with 21–40 PSF. Roofs need reinforced framing to handle regular snow buildup.

Heavy — 25 counties with 41–60 PSF. Engineered roof systems required for significant snow accumulation.

Extreme — 9 counties with 61+ PSF. Heavy-duty structural engineering required for extreme snowfall areas.

Case Study — 9 counties where snow loads vary too much to assign one number. A licensed engineer must determine the load for your specific site.

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

Michigan Snow Load Map

Counties colored by snow load classification.

Highest Snow Load Counties

Alcona50 PSF

Alger70 PSF

Alpena50 PSF

Antrim60 PSF

Baraga70 PSF

Charlevoix60 PSF

Cheboygan60 PSF

Chippewa70 PSF

Crawford50 PSF

Delta60 PSF

Dickinson60 PSF

Gogebic60 PSF

+22 more

Michigan

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All 83 Counties — By Snow Load

County	Classification	Snow Load
Alcona	Heavy	50 PSF
Alger	Extreme	70 PSF
Allegan	Case Study	Site Study
Alpena	Heavy	50 PSF
Antrim	Heavy	60 PSF
Arenac	Moderate	40 PSF
Baraga	Extreme	70 PSF
Barry	Moderate	35 PSF
Bay	Moderate	35 PSF
Benzie	Case Study	Site Study
Berrien	Case Study	Site Study
Branch	Moderate	25 PSF
Calhoun	Moderate	25 PSF
Cass	Case Study	Site Study
Charlevoix	Heavy	60 PSF
Cheboygan	Heavy	60 PSF
Chippewa	Extreme	70 PSF
Clare	Moderate	40 PSF
Clinton	Moderate	30 PSF
Crawford	Heavy	50 PSF
Delta	Heavy	60 PSF
Dickinson	Heavy	60 PSF
Eaton	Moderate	30 PSF
Emmet	Case Study	Site Study
Genesee	Moderate	25 PSF
Gladwin	Moderate	40 PSF
Gogebic	Heavy	60 PSF
Grand Traverse	Heavy	60 PSF
Gratiot	Moderate	35 PSF
Hillsdale	Light	20 PSF
Houghton	Extreme	80 PSF
Huron	Moderate	35 PSF
Ingham	Moderate	25 PSF
Ionia	Moderate	35 PSF
Iosco	Moderate	40 PSF
Iron	Heavy	60 PSF
Isabella	Moderate	40 PSF
Jackson	Moderate	25 PSF
Kalamazoo	Moderate	30 PSF
Kalkaska	Heavy	60 PSF
Kent	Moderate	35 PSF
Keweenaw	Extreme	90 PSF
Lake	Heavy	50 PSF
Lapeer	Moderate	25 PSF
Leelanau	Case Study	Site Study
Lenawee	Light	20 PSF
Livingston	Moderate	25 PSF
Luce	Extreme	70 PSF
Mackinac	Heavy	60 PSF
Macomb	Moderate	25 PSF
Manistee	Case Study	Site Study
Marquette	Extreme	70 PSF
Mason	Heavy	60 PSF
Mecosta	Moderate	40 PSF
Menominee	Heavy	60 PSF
Midland	Moderate	40 PSF
Missaukee	Heavy	50 PSF
Monroe	Light	20 PSF
Montcalm	Moderate	35 PSF
Montmorency	Heavy	50 PSF
Muskegon	Moderate	40 PSF
Newaygo	Heavy	50 PSF
Oakland	Moderate	25 PSF
Oceana	Case Study	Site Study
Ogemaw	Heavy	50 PSF
Ontonagon	Extreme	70 PSF
Osceola	Moderate	40 PSF
Oscoda	Heavy	50 PSF
Otsego	Heavy	60 PSF
Ottawa	Moderate	40 PSF
Presque Isle	Heavy	50 PSF
Roscommon	Heavy	50 PSF
Saginaw	Moderate	30 PSF
Sanilac	Moderate	30 PSF
Schoolcraft	Extreme	70 PSF
Shiawassee	Moderate	30 PSF
St. Clair	Moderate	25 PSF
St. Joseph	Moderate	25 PSF
Tuscola	Moderate	30 PSF
Van Buren	Case Study	Site Study
Washtenaw	Light	20 PSF
Wayne	Light	20 PSF
Wexford	Heavy	60 PSF

Source: ASCE 7-22 ground snow load data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the snow load in Michigan?

Michigan has an average ground snow load of 44.3 PSF, classified as heavy. Out of 83 counties: 5 light, 35 moderate, 25 heavy, 9 extreme, 9 case study.

Which Michigan counties have the highest snow load?

Michigan has 9 counties with extreme snow load (61+ PSF). Michigan has 25 counties with heavy snow load (41-60 PSF). 9 counties require a site-specific case study. See the county table above for a complete breakdown.

How do I check snow load for my Michigan 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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