I write this blog each year in hopes that it’ll help at least a few people (I typically need the most help as my driveway is 1/4 mile long).
How can a snow fence help?
A properly placed snow fence can make all the difference between being snowed in (some folks may like this idea) and, smooth sailing down the driveway.
As I mentioned, my driveway is ¼ mile long, so a snow fence is a fairly time-consuming project for us. This year, corn was planted along our driveway so we asked the farmer if they could leave a couple rows while harvesting. That’ll be our snowfence this year – we’ll see how that works come January.
How they work:
As the snow and wind blow through the fence, the fence basically empties the air of snow before it reaches your driveway (or whatever feature you’re trying to keep the snow away from). Drifts that would normally fall on the roadway now form at the
location of the snow fence.
To be effective, snow fences must be properly designed and located with respect to the roadway in need of protection. Not all roadways will benefit from a snow fence.
A fence placed in the wrong location may not do an adequate job of protecting the road, and may even cause snow to accumulate on the roadway.
Height
Any standard size fence will help stop drifting snow. However, the taller the fence – the more snow will be trapped. One row of eight-foot fence is recommended for maximum efficiency. Multiple rows of shorter fence can also be used. One eight-foot fence can trap as much snow as five rows of four-foot fence. Height should be sufficient to store blowing snow during an average to above average snowfall year.
Length
Snow fence length determines the maximum amount of area that can be protected from blowing and drifting snow. Snow storage at the ends of a barrier is significantly less than near the center. It is recommended that the ends of the fence extend approximately 30 degrees beyond the desired protection limits to allow for wind variability. Fences should be set back from the edge of the roadway a distance of 35 times the height of the fence. For instance, if the snow fence is eight feet tall, it should be placed 280 feet back from the edge of the roadway. (8′ high x 35 = 280-foot set back)
Placement
The fence should be placed as parallel to the road and perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction as possible.
Helpful hints
• Fences should contain 40 to 50 percent open space to be most effective.
• Horizontal gaps are the preferred design.
• A gap of six to eight inches is needed between the ground and the fence to reduce the tendency of fences to become buried in drifts, which reduces storage capacity.
Good luck,
Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo
Posted under Hometown Weather
This post was written by llombardo on November 1, 2008
I tried a snow fence for the first time this year. Followed these guidlines pretty closely and it seems to have worked. Placement of the fence was the biggest key. But we’ve had storms come from almost every direction this year so it’s been a trying cold winter. I’ll try to remember and tell you in March how the 2nd half of winter panned out.
I am going to do this for the winter this year, but I am concerned as to the open space that I would need. I think that the wooden snow fence is still my best option but I just do not want it next to my driveway.
How far back do you recommend for a 4 foot high wood fence when you do not have 35x its height ( 140feet) If multiple rows,what would be the distance between rows?
A general rule of thumb is to keep the fence back from the road at least 20 to 30 times the fence’s height. A 4-foot-high fence will need to be placed from 80 feet to 120 feet from the roadway it is protecting. This will allow for a long drift to be made on the side of the fence opposite to the wind’s direction.
Multiple rows: To avoid fence burial downwind leave 25 times the height in open area for snow drifts to form. With staggered fencing, make sure that all gaps are covered with following rows.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
LeAnn Lombardo
My biggest problem is drifting across the front of my house. My property is set down from the height of the road by about 5-6′. I’m wondering if a snow fence 4′ high will do anything. The fence would run parallel to my driveway (perpendicular to the road and front of my house). Wind direction varies but it will likely average about 20 degrees from perpendicular to the driveway and snow fence.