This is the dramatic moment a family ran for cover when melting snow fell from the roof of their house.

Surveillance camera footage shows a woman shovelling snow in the front yard of the home in the city of Bozhou, in Anhui, eastern China, at around 1:33 pm on February 23, as the rest of the family watched.

But just moments later all of them can be seen running toward the street after a mass of thawing snow suddenly fell from the roof and caught them off guard.

A motorcycle, stationed in the yard, can be seen toppling over after being struck by the snowfall.

The clip further showed a young child, being held by the father, breaking into tears as he almost lost his grip when they were lightly struck by the snowfall.

The child's mother quickly rushed to see if everything was alright. She later brought the child inside, while the rest of the group followed.