when it snows, does that count in the rain percentages?

Answer 1

Yes, if you melted down the snow into water, that is how much is measured as rain. For example, in Colorado, when they had 3 feet of snow, it was fairly dry snow, so it only counted as about 2-3 inches of rain. In the South, snow is very wet, and if there were 1 foot of snow, that would be about 6 inches of rain.

Answer 2

I think you're asking if one forecasts a 100% chance of rain, but it snows instead of rains, does it count as a correct forecast in terms of the probability?

If that is what you are asking, then yes, it counts. Generally, meteorologists forecast the "probability of precipitation." To make things more specific for the general public, "precipitation" is usually replaced with the specific type of precipitation expected -- rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc.

Of course if one forecasts rain and it snows, that's generally not viewed as a correct forecast. But in terms of the probability of precipitation, it would be correct.

Answer 3

Good question. The answer is no, but it does count as far as total precipitation. Rain and snow are recorded separately.