Lake-effect snow along the Kenosha shore reached 10 to 16 inches in February 2021, while towns inland got much less. The November 10, 2025 band left 10 to 13 inches near Pleasant Prairie and about 2 inches in Sturtevant. Check the roof after heavy snow from the ground and the attic.
Key takeaways
- Lake-effect bands are narrow, and totals can change sharply over a few kilometers.
- The February 2021 lakeshore snow was 10 to 16 inches, with a sharp drop inland.
- The sources give no annual snowfall figure and no roof snow-load figure, so none is printed here.
- Do not climb onto a snow-covered roof to clear it.
Why is the shore different from the towns inland?
The lake supplies moisture to cold air, and the heaviest bands fall on the first land they reach.
A National Weather Service meteorologist, quoted by a local newspaper, said lake-effect totals fall off sharply west of Green Bay Road. The shoreline record therefore does not describe inland roofs.
The lakeshore in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee took 10 to 16 inches in February 2021, with a sharp drop farther inland.
What did the November 2025 band show?
A narrow band left 10 to 13 inches near Pleasant Prairie and about 2 inches in Sturtevant, roughly 20 kilometers away.
Two places a short drive apart can end up with very different snow cover after the same storm. A roof at the edge of a band can carry a very different load from one under its heart.
What a roof carries depends on the depth where it sits, not on the county forecast. A technician checks any roof that took a heavy band.
What should you check after a heavy snow?
Check for sagging, ceiling stains and cracks, and ice at the eaves, from inside and from the ground.
Watch for doors or windows that stick, which can point to extra load on the framing. Clear the lower edge from the ground where it is safe.
Call a technician if the ceiling shows new water, or if you hear cracking from the framing. Do not climb onto the roof to deal with it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How much snow does Kenosha get in a year?
This guide does not give an annual total. The sources used for the site did not include a verified normal, so none is printed.
Why did Sturtevant get less than Pleasant Prairie?
The November 10, 2025 band was narrow. It left about 2 inches in Sturtevant and 10 to 13 inches near Pleasant Prairie.
Should I rake the roof after every storm?
Raking can reduce the load after a heavy snow, but only from the ground where it is safe. Do not climb onto a snow-covered roof.
This guide is general information for Kenosha County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.