Less snow accumulates under forest canopies than in small openings. Analysis of relationships between canopy cover and snow-water equivalents (SWE) for coniferous forests indicate substantial differences between areas and years. Many of these differences result from differences in the total amount of snowfall. The difference between SWE values in open and forested areas increases with increasing SWE in the open. However, the relative influence of canopy cover on maximum SWE decreases with increasing SWE in open areas. By incorporating this latter relationship, canopy cover can be used to predict snow-water equivalents in coniferous forests.