The record for the largest single day of snowfall in the United States goes to Silver Lake, Colo., which sits at an elevation 10,220 feet. In 1921, the area got 75.8 inches in just 24 hours.
Down here at sea level, Oklahoma set a new 24-hour snowfall record in 2011 when 27 inches piled up in Spavinaw — Mickey Mantle's hometown.
That's a lot to shovel out of the driveway, especially because snow weighs in at around 20 pounds per cubic foot.
If you're headed into or are already in shovel season, take note: Shoveling is a cardio-stimulating, weight-resistance exercise. When combined with chilly, blood vessel-constricting temperatures, it can be quite a shock to your system.
One study out of Canada found that heavy snowfall correlated with a 16% relative increased risk of hospital admission for a heart attack. And for men, a snowfall was associated with a 34% increase in the odds of dying from a cardiac event.
That’s is why it's important to take it slow, and treat shoveling as serious exercise.
Here are some tips for getting rid of snow on your driveway or sidewalk:
• Stretch before you start.
• Push the snow rather than lifting it. If you need to lift snow, use a smaller shovel. And lift with your legs, not your back.
• If possible, shovel while snow is still fresh and powdery. It's lighter then.
• Dress warm. Heart attacks and strokes are by-and-large more common during cold snaps.