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Lake Effect Snow

Posted on Nov 14, 2014

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! When I got to the office this morning we had about seven and a half inches of snow in the backyard! And we are still getting more lake effect snow as this system continues to move over Lake Erie, which is a balmy 51° today. So how exactly does this lake effect weather work? Well, as cold air is pushed over the warm waters of the lake, unstable air and water vapor build up. As the water vapor condenses, big grey clouds, full of snow are formed. As these clouds move inland, they dump their burden of snow in bands downwind of the lake, producing sometimes heavy accumulations of the white fluffy stuff. So if you are out and about today, be mindful that conditions can change rapidly due to the bands of snow coming our way!

Lake Effect SnowElyse Henshaw
Conservation Technician