tips for finding a ring?

We lost a gold ring right outside the front door of our home yesterday, as it began snowing.. The snow was light and little of it is still here, but the ring, which we believe fell in the old leaves, is still nowhere to be found. It's bitter cold outside, so we have to search in small bursts. Any tips for finding it? We don't believe it's magnetic (we've tried magnets) and it should be easy to see (it looks silver in color) but there may be some variable here i'm not seeing. Is pouring hot water on the light snow to get rid of it a good idea? (the snow, not the ring) Any help is good help. Thx.