How do meteorogist measure snow totals in case of MELTING or DRIFTING SNOW?
what they do is use a snow board which is just a white board and they measure the snow every couple of hours and then wipe it off then measuring it again later. Snow, especially when it is fluffy, tends to compact as more snow falls on it so you measure it in intervals to get a more accurate reading. If it is blowing snow you take averages of the snowfall.
