Don't Wait! This is How Often You Should Shovel Snow During a Storm, Experts Reveal

If you've been wondering, 'Should you shovel snow during a storm,' or 'How often should you shovel during a snowstorm,' it's likely that you've been affected by the recent winter storm that has more than 250 million people* in the US still under cold alerts.

And, even if you do know the best way to shovel snow, the frequency matters more than you may think. Here, our landscaping experts reveal exactly how often you should be shoveling, and why.

How Often Should You Shovel During a Snowstorm?

According to Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal, who has over 25 years of experience in general landscaping maintenance and snow removal, the best practice, once you've prepared your home for a snowstorm and the storm has hit, is to shovel snow every two to four inches of accumulation.

'Do not wait until the storm is over,' he warns. 'This will prevent the snow from compacting into ice, and it makes the job so much harder when it's already compacted.

In turn, this means that whether you use a snow blower or a snow shovel, shovelling snow off gravel, or removing snow from a driveway, will be far easier and far less time-consuming. To get the job done efficiently, the Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel, available at Amazon, is a number one bestseller and features a spring-assisted design to minimize strain during use.

Gene's advice is also applicable if you're looking to remove snow from trees, too, where it's crucial to act quickly to lighten the weight of snow sitting on the branches.

In particular, Gene advises that waiting too long to shovel snow will increase the strain on your back and body while shoveling, especially when the snow gets wet and heavy.

Therefore, he says, 'Older homeowners or anyone with health concerns should absolutely avoid shoveling anything heavy, especially when the increased risk of slipping is apparent. I would always consider calling in a professional to do this for you.

'One tip I can give is to always push snow instead of lifting it when possible, take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and stop immediately if you feel dizzy or short of breath.'

Of course, also, in terms of whether you should shovel snow during a storm, don't attempt to go out shovelling snow if doing so poses any danger to yourself. While allowing snow to compact will make the task far harder, it's still certainly preferable to putting yourself at risk of any danger posed by extreme cold weather and high winds.

Then, once the worst of the weather has passed and it's safe to do so, acting quickly will help you to avoid any home maintenance mistakes never to make in winter.

What to Shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Gene Caballero

Gene is the co-founder of GreenPal, and has been in the landscaping industry for over 25 years, specializing in general landscaping maintenance and snow removal. GreenPal has been featured in Forbes, Time, and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications.

Investing in the winter garden tools you'll actually use is one of the best ways to ensure you have what you need, when you need it, whether clearing snow, gardening in the wet and cold, or shifting heavy loads around your yard with a reliable wheelbarrow.

*According to data collected by CNN.