Weather guide

Snow on marquees and event sites

Winter markets, ice rinks and Christmas events run under fabric roofs in the months snow can fall. This guide sets out what MUTA says about snow on fabric structures and what HSE says about walkways.

Snow on fabric roofs

MUTA's Best Practice Guide says very few fabric structures have snow load capacity. If snow is a possibility the structure must be heated to keep a minimum temperature of 12°C so snow does not build up on the roof.

It says that in winter, where there is a danger of snow, contractors should tell clients about the need to heat the structure. Snow build up can endanger its stability.

Valleys between fabric structures and buildings or neighbouring structures are a particular problem. MUTA says clients should be made aware of the danger and the need to remove excess weight from these areas.

Source: MUTA: Best Practice Guide 2026

Walkways and car parks

HSE says to grit when frost, ice or snow is forecast. It suggests starting with the places most likely to be slippery: entrances, car parks, walkways, slopes and areas that stay in shade or wet.

Source: Health and Safety Executive: Slips and trips: frequently asked questions

Where a forecast fits

MUTA's advice turns on whether snow is a possibility. A forecast chance of snow is the prompt to talk to your marquee contractor about heating before the day. A chance is not a promise either way.

How Gustline helps

Gustline's snow alert warns when the forecast chance of snow at your site reaches your threshold. The default of 20% is a Gustline starting point, not a published figure. For fabric structures you may want it lower, since MUTA's advice applies whenever snow is a possibility. The Met Office gives the chance for three hour steps, so each hour takes the chance for the step it falls in.

Gustline checks the Met Office site-specific forecast for the point you pin on the map, every six hours from a week out and every hour in the final three days. It compares the forecast gust with the rated limit you enter for each structure and checks the weather alerts you leave on for the event. When a level changes it emails and texts the people you choose. Every alert is logged with a timestamp.

Gustline is an early warning for planning. It does not replace checks on site on the day, the official warnings or your event's own plans.

Plans start at £19 for one event. A season pass is £99 a season and a year pass is £179 a year. It covers the UK only.

Set up alerts for your next event

Sources

Last updated 4 October 2026.

Read next

  • Ice and frost on event sites

    Air frost, ground frost and black ice from Met Office definitions, with HSE advice on gritting walkways and where a forecast fits.

  • Wind limits for marquees and tents

    A marquee's wind limit comes from its design certificate, not a general figure. What MUTA guidance says about design wind load and wind management plans.

  • Christmas market winter weather checklist

    Wind, ice, snow, fog, rain and flood for Christmas markets: what council market policies, MUTA, HSE, ADIPS and the Met Office say to plan for.

  • Fog at outdoor events

    The Met Office defines fog as visibility under 1,000m and dense fog as under 100m. What that means for event sites and where a forecast helps.