[Grammar] There is snow on/in the streets

[Crowned 91]

Hi!

Are these sentences both possible?Is there a difference between the two prepositions in terms of meaning?
1)There is snow on the streets.
2)There is snow in the streets.

 

[Rover_KE]

This ngram chart shows there is not much difference currently, but the historical variation is rather surprising.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would say "on." We need plows to take it off.

 

[MikeNewYork]

These two prepositions are often interchangeable with "streets". One can walk "on" the street (on the surface) or "in" the street (within the physical borders of the street).