How a heavy spring storm usually unfolds
- Before it starts
- Rain or mild temperatures, then a turn colder. Trees may have new leaves or blossoms that catch snow.
- First hours
- Heavy, wet flakes stick to every branch. Sagging limbs start to bend toward roofs, fences and power lines.
- Overnight
- Limb failures are common as the load builds. Outages may follow where branches hit lines.
- Next day
- Sun and above-freezing temperatures start melting. Gutters fill with slush, and ice can form at eaves where shade keeps them cold.
- Following days
- Hidden damage shows up: bent gutters, cracked skylights, leaks where ice backed water under shingles.
Why wet snow is so heavy
Snow density varies a lot. Cold, fluffy snow is mostly air. Spring snow in the Pikes Peak region often falls near freezing and holds much more water, so the same depth can weigh several times as much. Shoveling it gives a sense of the difference.
Most pitched residential roofs in the area are designed for local snow loads, and steep roofs shed snow fairly well. The bigger risks for houses are usually trees, gutters and decks. Low-slope roofs, carports, metal outbuildings, patio covers and older additions are more likely to be stressed, particularly where drifting piles snow against a taller wall.
Trees with broad canopies and weak branch unions suffer most. Siberian elms, silver maples and ornamental fruit trees are often mentioned by arborists as prone to breakage, but any tree can fail when loaded heavily enough.
Where to look once the snow stops
| Location | Typical damage | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Gutters and downspouts | Pulled loose from fascia, bent or split seams | Photograph and note sagging runs before they are reattached |
| Low-slope roofs and carports | Ponding, sagging, creaking or cracked framing | Keep people out from underneath and ask a contractor or engineer to look |
| Decks and pergolas | Overloaded joists, cracked posts | Stay off until checked |
| Trees near the house | Split trunks, hanging limbs | Stay clear of hanging limbs and call an arborist |
| Fences | Panels knocked down by limbs or drifts | Note shared fences for neighbor conversations |
| Eaves | Ice ridges and icicles | Watch the ceilings below for stains as it melts |
Safe actions during the storm
- Gently knock snow from small shrubs and young trees you can reach from the ground with a broom, pushing upward.
- Do not shake large trees or stand under loaded limbs.
- Do not climb onto a roof to shovel; use a roof rake from the ground only if you can stay clear of power lines.
- Keep vehicles out from under large trees overnight if possible.
- Report downed lines to the electric utility and keep everyone far away from them.
- Clear snow from furnace and water heater exhaust vents at the side of the house.
Common questions
Should I rake snow off my roof?
For most pitched roofs it is not necessary. If you have a low-slope section that is sagging or creaking, get people out from under it and ask a professional to evaluate. Roof raking from the ground is safest, away from any power lines.
Is limb damage to my roof covered?
Damage to the house from a falling limb is often covered after a storm. Removing a tree that fell without hitting a structure may not be. Check your policy and photograph everything first.
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.